UPA Won't Scrap Rafale Deal; Will Renegotiate

P. CHIDAMBARAM IS BUSY campaigning in Sivaganga, from where his son, Karti P. Chidambaram, is contesting.

- Lakshmi Subramanian

At a public rally, Chidambaram asks people if they remember the demonetisation and its consequences. As the audience nods, he moves on to the Rafale deal. “Do you know the scam in the deal? Let me explain to those who do not know,” he says. In three minutes, he deftly outlines the specialities of the aircraft, the agreement during the Congress regime, what the Narendra Modi government did and what he claims the scam is. As he ends the speech, he says, “Karti is not new to this constituency. You all know him. He lives here in Managiri village. He will be at your disposal, if you vote for him.”

Amid the hectic schedule, Chidambaram spoke to THE WEEK about everything from farmers’ distress to the Congress’s proposed minimum income guarantee scheme—NYAY— and from Modi’s chowkidar plank to money that was written off by the government in insolvency-resolved cases. Edited excerpts:

You travelled countrywide to prepare the Congress manifesto. What is the mood of the people?

The Congress manifesto has become a talking point and its promises will have an impact on the way people vote. The people are extremely disappointed that Modi wasted a historic mandate. The unemployment [rate] is at an all time high in 45 years, small and medium businesses have been devastated, and there is a great sense of insecurity among all sections of the people, particularly women, dalits and minorities. The people expected the Congress party to present a bold and forward-looking manifesto that will address the real issues of the people—poverty among 20 per cent of the population, farmers’ distress and unemployment.

Will communal issues play a major role in this election?