Congress (I) General Secretary Oscar Fernandes is in Dubai on a private visit.  Daijiworld managed to meet this senior politician from Udupi, Karnataka at Intercontinental Hotel on the 29th June,2001.  Oscar answered in detail, five questions we asked him during the interview.  He spoke about Soniaji's abilities as the leader, about corruption and his contributions to Mangalore and Udupi constituencies. He spoke about Konkan Railways and his effort to make that dream project into a reality.....

Question: You have been very close to the Gandhi family for many years. Tell me, how capable is Soniaji, to lead the Congress Party back to power and rule the country as a Prime Minister?

 Answer:  It's a very important question.  At present Sonia is in the United States of America.  She will be addressing UN General Assembly on a major subject like Aids.  As an Opposition Leader she has selected this subject, which is a major problem in India at present. This simply means she understands and has studied the country very well.

 When Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, we requested her to take the reins of the Party. She refused.  Immediately, Congress Party formed the government. By then she could have been the PM. But she had no interest to enter into politics.   She had no urge.

 But when she realised that congress is collapsing, she agreed to take up the leadership on our repeated requests.  From there onwards our party fought back and today Congress Party is growing from strength to strength. Out of the 4 state elections held before the lok sabha elections, we had won 3 states - Rajastan, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.  We lost Mizoram.  It was a 'plus' for the party.  We did'nt have a Congress government in Delhi or Rajastan. We had our government in MP.  In lok sabha elections the Congress performance was okay, even taking into account the UP results. We were as low as one seat in UP.  We could make a dent in that State.

 In recently held 5 state elections, Congress on its own and with alliance has come back in 4.  Where we had 9 state governments before, we have now 11.  She has taken up the major issues of farmers.  They are our backbone.  These are the reflections of the congress party's election policy & programmes. This enabled us to come to power in 4 states.

 Congress is the only party, which has its roots in all the states of the country.  Congress will come back.  There is no doubt on the leadership issue.  There is no doubt on the capabilities of the leader and the understanding of the problems in the country by the leader.  She is the only leader who can lead the Congress Party to form a stable government at the centre.  Her abilities are well known.  Her way of working is very perfect. The command she has over the Hindi Language - I think many do not have. I agree that she cannot be compared with literary people.  She can interact with the common man without any problems. Her expressions are very good. She understands the country and its ethos much more than many of us.  She will be the perfect leader for the country.

 Question: Looking at the present situation within the country, do you think that the present government is going to collapse?

Answer: They themselves are not very confident.  They think that the government can collapse any moment.  People normally feel that if ever any event could take place, it would be after the next round of state assembly elections, which is either in October or March.  In the next elections Congress will come to power.  We are not doing anything to topple the government.  When we come to power,