The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : Q & A: P.C. Thomas

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Thursday, Apr 29, 2004

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National - Elections 2004

Q & A: P.C. Thomas

'The NDA has been kind to the minorities'

The Union Minister of State for Law and Justice in the Vajpayee Government, P.C. Thomas, is confident that the voters in Kerala's Muvattupuzha constituency, from where he has been winning since 1989, will not let him down this time too, despite his having quit the UDF. In a conversation with K. Venkiteswaran, the founder-president of the Indian Federation of Democratic Party says the traditional votes from the UDF and the LDF will fall into his kitty and he will win with a good majority. Excerpts:

What is your main campaign plank?

The NDA Government is likely to come back to power and the need of the hour is to see that the issues of Kerala and the problems of the constituency are highlighted and there is a proper redress of the people's grievances. This is mainly an agricultural constituency, natural rubber being the main crop. The issue of NR has been very sensitive in this area. The price of NR fell far too low. We wanted the governments concerned to take immediate measures, but farmers were greatly aggrieved that steps were not duly taken. But now the farmers are happy to some extent that the price of NR has somewhat come up, because the Centre has taken some steps. These include allowing Rs.3.50 a kg for exports as subsidy which has boosted exports. About 70,000 tonnes of NR were exported last year, just 5,000 tonnes less that what was exported in the previous year. This shows that if we exert pressure on the Government, matters will improve. Coconut prices have also come up. I have been taking up the cause of the farmers and we have been conducting one or two novel agitations in New Delhi to focus government attention on the problems of the agricultural sector. We have popularised the use of coconut and if coconut consumption improves, naturally it would result in better time for farmers here. Tender coconut is now available even during flights in domestic aircraft and the demand is going up. Fifty-six industries can be started with coconut and the industrial sector will also benefit.

What are your views on the NDA raking up the `foreign origin' of the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi? Are you using this in your campaign in a constituency where Christians are a force to reckon with?

No, here we are not focussing on any negative points. The positive sides of our need to win will be highlighted.

What's the arithmetic of your winning?

Both the UDF and LDF votes would get divided and it will help me. I will get a good chunk of the UDF votes and also from the LDF.

Traditionally, the church has perceived a threat from the growing clout of the Hindutva forces. How will the locals react to your association with the BJP?

All Christians have understood the need for their representative to be powerful. It is a fact that the NDA is likely to come back to power. They understand that Christians are everywhere; and that the nuns, priests and others who work as Missionaries in North India sometimes do get into problems even where they are not actually involved. They are doing great service but sometimes, somehow they are misunderstood. There are many instances which highlight the need for the rights of the minorities to be safeguarded; and they will be safeguarded under an NDA Government if their representatives are there.

So you think the minorities can safely vote for the NDA?

Yes, the Government has been very kind to the minority communities. It has increased the subsidy to church institutions; madrasas have been given assistance; service tax for parish halls and madrasas have been completely withdrawn. For the beatification of Mother Teresa at the Vatican, a representative of the Prime Minister was sent.

Who is your favourite political leader? Is it Atal Bihari Vajpayee?

My favourite is my father, the late P.T. Chacko.

What's your comment about the latest flip-flop involving Ram Jethmalani? Has there been some quid pro quo?

I know Mr. Jethmalani well. He is a person who has criticised Rajiv Gandhi to a great extent, but now he has changed a lot. I do not know whether any quid pro quo is involved. Probably, he has his own reasons.

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