CNBC-TV18, India’s No.1 business medium, presents “Off the Record with Vir Sanghvi”, a power packed series that airs every Friday 9:30 pm, Saturday 8 pm and Sunday 9 pm.
Led by India’s prolific talk show host, OFF THE RECORD will focus on India’s biggest names in politics and policymaking. From depicting their professional journey to their insights on the biggest issues of the day, from their landmark moments to their view of the future of the Indian political landscape and the economy, OFF THE RECORD is a definitive showcase of the machinations of India’s biggest policy minds.
As the much anticipated budget inches closer, Vir Sanghvi speaks to the Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee on liberalization, his relationship with the Prime Minister and the role of Congress in West Bengal.
Excerpts from Pranab Mukherjee interview with Vir Sanghvi
In “Off the record”
Vir Sanghvi: I remember we interviewed Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 and we talked about liberalisation and he felt he had missed opportunities. He said I have been sitting with PKM, which apparently is what he called you, he will be my finance minister and we will liberalise much faster. Do you have any regrets and if it hadn’t been for his assassination you would have been the Finance Minister in 1991?
Pranab Mukherjee: That is speculation.
Vir Sanghvi: No he said that on record.
Pranab Mukherjee: He might have thought of it. But anyway…
Vir Sanghvi: No regrets?
Pranab Mukherjee: No. Why should I have regrets?
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Vir Sanghvi: I want to ask you a little bit about your relationship with Manmohan Singh because people in the media have always speculated that there was a time when he was the RBI Governor and you were finance minister and now he is a Prime Minister and you are working under him. So therefore there must be some hierarchical resentment?
Pranab Mukherjee: There is no question of that. This is absolutely baseless.
Vir Sanghvi: Do you enjoy being finance minister again?
Pranab Mukherjee: It’s a very difficult task.
Vir Sanghvi: Why? These are good times compared to the 80s.
Pranab Mukherjee: No, but India’s Finance Ministers always have to face a lot of challenges.
Vir Sanghvi: But when people chadav you and they say that they want you as the leader of the house, they need you as Finance Minister, or at EGoMs, they won’t make you Deputy Prime Minister, they oppose making you president, how do you respond to that?
Pranab Mukherjee: It is very simple. Leadership has every reason to believe that the man can do a better job here than in other places.
Vir Sanghvi: You have dealt with Manmohan Singh as a civil servant, as a colleague, as a Prime Minister. What do you think his greatest strength is?
Pranab Mukherjee: His strength is that he can carry people with him. He does not impose his own will. He tries to build up consensus. At the time of debate after the Left’s withdrawal of support, on civil nuclear cooperation agreement with US, they created disturbances. But I used one phrase and I believe it. Beware of the fury of a quiet man.
Vir Sanghvi: Is there a fury to Dr. Manmohan Singh?
Pranab Mukherjee: There is no fury. But I used that phrase though there was no fury. But here what I wanted to convey was his firmness and his commitment to his cause.
Vir Sanghvi: It is well known that you and Manmohan Singh get along. But not is as well known is whether you really want to be Deputy Prime Minister?
Pranab Mukherjee: There was absolutely no question of that because I am a devoted student of constitution. I know there is no such thing as Deputy Prime Minister except a few words to be put after the name.
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