On the eve of the UPA-II’s third anniversary, Law Minister Salman Khurshid admitted that the coalition government has been facing a tough ride. Khurshid said that the Congress was prepared for all options, including being in Opposition, after the 2014 General Elections.
The minister was speaking exclusively to Karan Thapar on ‘Devil’s Advocate’.
Below is an edited transcript of the interview:
Karan Thapar: Across the country… frustration with this government is higher than it has ever been before. It’s not industrialists alone. Farmers are frustrated, city dwellers are frustrated, the urban middle classes, the urban lower classes, there are very few people today who would say that this is a performing government which I endorse.
Salman Khurshid: Could you tell me one country where people are happy in the world today? One country where they are happy… President Obama’s stakes are below the challenger. Which country today in difficult economic landscape is going to say good about its leaders. Europe is changing its leaders all along, every government is changing…
Karan Thapar: India may soon too…
Salman Khurshid: India may change as well. Who is saying India shouldn’t change?
Karan Thapar: India should change… you are recommending you have run out of your ability to fulfill…
Salman Khurshid: Not at all. I have said to you we have two years and two years from now we will stand tall in front of the people of this country. If they accept us well and good, if they don’t accept us, we have a place in the Opposition.
Karan Thapar: You sound as if you are ready for Opposition..
Salman Khurshid: Not at all. In democracy, you have to be willing to be in Opposition and determined to be in government and that’s what we are.
——Courtesy: CNN-IBN