At anround-table, Nationalist Congress Party chiefsays BJP encourages Subramanian Swamy to get up and say something to derail the House. Excerpts:BJP is not serious. Informally, even they (BJP leaders) are saying there is nothing in it. The simple thing is, there was noise. Immediately, Manmohan Singh took the decision to cancel it (the deal for choppers). Whatever advance was given, that was also withdrawn. CBI inquiry was instituted. Three-four helicopters had reached India and that were not taken. If some monetary interest had been involved, how would they take all these actions? Who will pay money if the contract is cancelled? Those who are raising it are also fully aware of it. For instance, today (Thursday) in Parliament, they have not raised any noise. Just 5-10 minutes, and then smooth functioning started.I don’t understand what exactly they are thinking. The gentleman who is supposed to take responsibility to make Parliament function properly is the parliamentary affairs minister. We don’t see that. During UPA days, practically day and night, the parliamentary affairs minister’s approach was to keep opposition in good humour. To resolve issues and see Parliament function. But here, there is no dialogue, no discussion. In Lok Sabha , the opposition’s strength is very limited. In upper house, they (government) are in minority. In such a situation they prefer to create some obstruction practically every day. Since yesterday and day before yesterday, when Subramanian Swamy got up, the House just collapsed. And they (BJP) deliberately encourage him to get up and say something.To attack somebody. (Laughs)When the allegations surfaced, it was immediately decided in the cabinet meeting practically in 15 minutes, to cancel it, instruct the CBI to go in depth and take action against some Tyagi or whoever. Quick decision was taken. The credit for that goes to Manmohan Singh.The present government wants to destabilise the Congress. What Mr Modi has said about Congress-mukt India…whether that happens or not is one thing, but they are going in that direction. And wherever there is possibility to get some support within the Congress, they are jumping in. This happened in Arunachal and the same thing happened in Uttarakhand.I don’t see the Congress reacting effectively. That is why the other side is getting dividends.The No. 2 ( Rahul Gandhi )…if he is going to control the decision-making process… if that is correct, and this is what we hear from different quarters, indicates this kind of delayed reaction.Those in the Congress would be able to reply to this. Generally, in Parliament it doesn’t matter which side you are on; we know each other very well. But we don’t know him well at all. I have only met him twice in the last many years.I think he is the only leader in India who, out of seven days, five days he is travelling. I don’t know yet what the outcome of that would be. But who is travelling like him today? Anyone in BJP or Congress? At least he is going everywhere.His approach seems to be to visit maximum places in India.As of today, Congress party’s position is not very good. Tomorrow, when BJP is losing and people are fed up of BJP, what is the alternative? Congress is the alternative. Secondly, what I have seen over the last many years is that practically in every village there are some Congress people. It might be old Congress families or freedom fighters’ families but some symptoms of the Congress are everywhere. That is not the case with other parties. Which is why with a discredited BJP, people would prefer Congress.He is CM and has successfully managed the state. That has sent a signal that those who are unhappy with Congress and BJP want some consolidation. The signal is he is the person. Second, the general perception about him is that he is sincere, hard-working, pro-poor. That perception is going elsewhere from Bihar. I know him well for the last many years. He wants to concentrate authority with himself. The same was the case with Modi. Do you think Nitish will be able to make that transition from CM to PM? As of today, if the opposition has to come together and provide an alternative, he is the number one name.Not the Congress.Generally, our approach will be to associate with a non-BJP set-up.Because he is CM. He has the authority.Sonia enjoys more acceptability, including with other opposition parties. Some of us fought with her and we have seen the change in her. She is very accommodative.Ultimately, public at large (will decide). Suppose, in 2019, the BJP is on one side…and we have seen their performance in the last two years…definitely the voter at large would prefer some alternative. What is the alternative? As of today, the Bihar CM is a sort of cementing force for non-BJP forces.Without Congress, it’s (defeating BJP) not possible. Even with Deve Gowda, Congress supported him to become PM.This will depend on how Rahul performs over the next three years.I don’t see any impact on the field. People laugh when you bring this issue up. When Kanhaiya Kumar visited Bombay and Pune, there was tremendous interest among the youth. The attendance and response to his programmes were good. That indicates unhappiness about the government.Definitely. Otherwise, what was he? I could not understand why the government of India should take such interest in one institution. Do you know the name of the student leader in Bombay University?Immaturity. (laughs)Well, suppose they go against him, what political impact will it have? (Laughs)The Mumbai corporation elections will be the breaking point. Shiv Sena and BJP will dissociate and there will be a bitter fight. BJP’s efforts will be to control Mumbai city. Shiv Sena will never divest the control of Mumbai Mahanagar Palika to anyone else. Mayawati will form the government in Uttar Pradesh.I only know Kejriwal because of Anna Hazare. He was created by you people.Nobody knows Kejriwal.Sun rahe hain (I have also heard so). (Laughs). I feel, if the Akali government is discredited then Amarinder Singh will form the government.They told us yesterday that you have to shift your games elsewhere. We will shift them. Reason? Drought. In Maharashtra, the government has declared drought in certain districts. It’s not there in Mumbai or Pune. We are using recycled, drainage water to maintain the fields. Matches may have shifted but we still have to maintain the grounds. (Smiles).His father, Vithal, was a friend of mine. One day Vithal introduced me to his son and said he (Vijay) is very dynamic. But there is one problem with him. Suppose he knows he is getting Rs 1,000 at 12 o’ clock, by 10.30 he would spend (Rs) 1,200. (laughs).If I meet him I would definitely tell him.They should have taken initiative in this, which they have not done.