I want no Gandhi in politics

George Fernandes is angry. Angry at being given the short shrift by the JD(U), a party he helped found. Angry at the betrayal of party leaders Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav who wrote him off saying he's unfit to contest.

You have won nine Lok Sabha elections, yet you were denied a ticket by the JD (U). Did you feel betrayed?
I have given everything to Nitish Kumar. But that man has always tried to throw me out of the party. Nitish and Sharad (Yadav) both treated me very casually. I am hurt. They said I can't contest as I am unfit. I am fighting fit.

You called Nitish Kumar an autocrat.
I never said that. The media misquoted me. Nitish has hurt me a lot, but I have forgiven him. I forgive everyone.

You were like a father figure to Nitish Kumar. Why do you think he denied you a ticket?
(Pauses) He never thought of me as a father figure. I am sorry, but he never felt that way.

There is a perception that Bihar has improved after Nitish Kumar became the chief minister. Do you agree?
It's not true. Bihar is bad as before. I know what Nitish is. He hasn't done anything.

You fought as an Independent from Muzaffarpur this time. What are your chances?
I am going to win. I am sure of that. I care for the people of Muzzafarpur. Wherever I went they hugged me. I am there for them even for small problems.

If you win this time, you will join a select band - that of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Somnath Chatterjee who have been elected to the Lok Sabha ten times. Was that the reason why you contested?
I contested because the people of Muzzafarpur wanted me to. There's no other reason.

What are the NDA's chances this time?
The NDA will come to power. That shouldn't be difficult.

LK Advani has come under attack from both Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. The Congress has often made fun of his ambition to become the prime minister. Do you support Advani as PM?
I have known Advani for long. Sometimes he makes mistakes because of his friends. But I support him.

Why is the BJP talking about Ram Mandir? Isn't it the reason why its allies are deserting the party?
No. The allies will come back, hopefully. The real issues are development and security.

What do you have to say about the Varun Gandhi hate speech? He has come to the forefront after that speech.
I want no Gandhi in politics. They have ruined the country. I will oppose all of them.

Rahul too?
No Gandhi, I said. Neither Varun, nor Rahul.