For those who felt the acute absence of a sane voice to articulate right-of-centre political posturing on English language news TV, here's hope. Whether it's the UPA's inability to control price rise or the much-maligned Pakistan policy, BJP's new spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman knows how to put her point across without sounding shrill or silly. In an exclusive interview with Amit Kumar
For those who felt the acute absence of a sane voice to articulate right-of-centre political posturing on English language news TV, here's hope. Whether it's the UPA's inability to control price rise or the much-maligned Pakistan policy, BJP's new spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman knows how to put her point across without sounding shrill or silly. In an exclusive interview with Amit Kumar BJP's new spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.
How easy or difficult is it to be a party spokesperson? You are the first one to take flak from the media and public if your party falters. 
Pic/Rajeev Tyagi
It is challenging. The difficulty is to keep your composure. When there is a strong point to be made in our favour, there may be temptation to get carried away.
Conversely, when being defensive, you may end up sounding cynical or respond like a loser. The content has to be concise, sharp and logical. It is almost a mind game -- thinking as you are talking, being conscious that a ruthless camera is recording your every word, body language and expression.
People know little about you. How long have you been associated with the BJP?
My school education was in Tamil Nadu. My first degree was from an excellent college in Tiruchirapalli. I have a Masters in Economics and MPhil in International Studies from JNU (Delhi).
I joined as a researcher and rose to become a manager in Price Waterhouse (not PWC then) at their office in London. On returning to India, I was associated with the Centre for Public Policy Studies in Hyderabad, where I live. We completed several studies on Women, Rural Development, Child Labour, School Education and so on.
Simultaneously, I was engaged in setting up a school which challenged existing beliefs about schooling. Those were beautiful and rewarding years when a vibrant community of children, parents, staff and neighbourhood bloomed around the school.
My tenure as a member of the National Commission for Women was challenging. Subsequent to my term at the Commission, I joined the BJP.
How much free thought does the BJP allow? Do you parrot what the party high command says or is there room for counter arguments within the party?
There is every avenue available for a free and fair discussion in the BJP. A newcomer and a junior like me was never denied an opportunity to intervene in the discussions held in the National Executive, which I was a member of, for the last few years, and that too in the presence of stalwarts and experienced senior leaders.
A party line on issues is arrived at only after due deliberations. Arguments and counters are placed within the party forums during the process of deciding the party line. Once the line is taken, you are expected to articulate it, defend it and stand by it.
Do you want to fight elections or are you happy in your current role?
The role I am expected to play at present is challenging and I have to serve the party well. For now, I wish to focus on this.
There's been a lot of talk about the UPA's Pakistan policy. What are your views?
India's Foreign Policy itself appears to be an outcome of different external pressures. It is not pro-active where and when it can be. We are probably even losing out on some areas which were traditionally in our sphere of influence.
In specific, our policy towards Pakistan is sending out confusing signals. We've had a troubled relationship with them since 1947. However, post 26/11, the atmosphere is charged and there is a desperate need to build trust. Talking with Pakistan is not an end in itself.
What about internal security. Is P Chidambaram doing a good job?
I wonder if our Home Minister is being allowed to do his job at all. The Congress Party is speaking for the government and in a confusing and mutually contradicting way. The BJP feels the Home Minister is fighting the naxals with one hand tied to his back.
To cover up internal differences within the Congress, which is adversely affecting the government, handling critical issues affecting internal security is being seen as a state subject. As a result, a blame game is on -- the Congress is spreading the word that it is Chhattisgarh's failure and that the Centre is at best a "facilitator" who cannot be blamed.
Today, states affected in the current spell of violence are under non-Congress rule and cannot be lost sight of. The relative lull in Andhra Pradesh can be misleading.
As Opposition, the BJP has the right to criticise the government. But share one achievement of UPA-II with us.
The Right to Education Act. However, I am certain that there are serious difficulties we will face while implementing it. Several preparatory steps that should have been taken up on infrastructure, manpower and resource-related to schooling have been by-passed.
During the 2009 elections, the BJP attacked Manmohan Singh. Later, the party realised that personal attacks were a mistake. Now that he has successfully run the Government for six years, how do you rate him?
A renowned economist at the helm of affairs who could not help the "aam aadmi" face the food price-inflation. Prime lending rate hovering at around 12 per cent during inflationary times, has not helped industry. Fiscal deficit is unacceptably high.
He leads a pack of indisciplined and corrupt ministers. Alliance partners seem to get away without being held accountable for their conduct -- failure to control prices, absence during parliament sessions and rampant corruption. As an economist, how is he unable to see the loss to the exchequer (app Rs 60,000 crores) brought about by a corrupt minister?
With all this as a backdrop, I can rate him only for his sense of detachment.
During UPA-I, the BJP was hopeful of coming back to power. Now it seems the party has given up.
It is true that the BJP took some time to come to terms with the defeat in 2004. But today, we are playing an opposition party's role effectively. Whereever possible, we are bringing together all other parties on an issue-based platform.
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