You did your law from Harvard University and then came back to India, practiced for a while and then got into politics. Do you enjoy being in politics?
Well, I enjoy everything I do and so yes I do enjoy politics.

Congress says it will encourage young party workers. But then we don’t see too many young Congressmen who have got a ticket?
Well, we didn't say young, we said new faces. This election, in Karnataka 40 % of the tickets have been given to new faces. I would also like to mention that we are the only party that has not given tickets to “relatives”. Congress party is changing in a progressive way and the movement will continue.

You visited Antarctica and on your return, you announced that funds would be given to upgrade the research camps and to set up a third permanent research center. So what is the status of that project?
The funding for that project is through. We have got the necessary permission and clearance from the Antarctic Treaty System and very soon will be going ahead with the setting up of another research center there. The third research center.

You were offered an IAS position. You refused, why?
Oh! That was a long time ago. Well it’s just that I never wanted to be a bureaucrat.

During the press conference, Kapil Sibal, in his own “lawyer isque” way broke down various issues, specially the issue of inflation and the prospect of growth. He repeatedly mentioned that Congress has been the reason why Karnataka is one of the States at the forefront of development. He also added that he was thankful to the people of Karnataka for making the most of the progressive and visionary policies of S. M Krishna's Government and helping Karnataka become a model State.

Vikram Muthanna with Kapil Sibal

Speaking of the sensitive issue of inflation, Kapil Sibal once again showed his love for statistics by reeling off percentage increase of cost in various countries and of various products and then cited the reason for the increase in food products. "There is a huge demand and supply gap, and that’s the reason we have banned the export of certain food products. The edible oil prices have gone up because there is a shortage of production," he added.

He then defended the government by saying that the food situation in India is better than the rest of the world!

Sibal, after all the talk about controlling inflation, finally came around to the basic question. What do we do for the future? We cannot keep controlling inflation by way of taxation and subsidizing. He mentioned that schemes were in place which will help increase agricultural production in the nation. He also assured that food cost would come down and ease off in another two to three months. He said that the country had a bumper crop this year as far as agriculture was concerned and that the government's procurement drive had produced such good results that it has already achieved food targets for the year.

Continuing his talk on inflation and food production, he stated "when there is a food crisis, all parties must come together and find a solution. Hunger must not be a debate of politics. Hunger for politics is ok, but do not play politics with hunger. During the NDA government too there was inflation. It had increased to nearly 7.5 per cent but we in Congress did not debate the BJP on that. We knew that there was a drought that year and had to work together." Moving on to politics, he urged the people of the State to vote for Congress as the party signified stability and seriousness in politics. He stated "Congress for growth and equity" as if it were the tag line for product “Congress” and reeled out a list of policies initiated during S. M. Krishna's Chief Ministership. Two detailed press notes were given out each with a headline. One said "Policies for Economic Progress — Congress for growth" and another said "Policies for People — Congress for Equity."

Taking a dig at Advani's statement that power-sharing between BJP and JD(S) was like a Twenty20 match, Sibal said: "A Twenty20 cricket match is entertainment, politics is not entertainment. It is serious business. When JD (S) made overtures to us we refused, but then they went and joined BJP, a non - secular party and played musical chairs with them. The music began and when it stopped, whoever had a seat took it. Why else do you think there was discord? It was all about who got which portfolio."

When asked if the infighting within his own party in the State wasn't entertainment? Sibal said, "See, infighting is like an infection and all parties suffer from it. All I can say is that in our party it is not as bad as it is in other parties." When further prodded about why Congress had not announced a clear Chief Ministerial candidate, he said: "It is the policy of the Congress party. We announce the Chief Ministerial candidate only after the Assembly is constituted."

Questioned about loud and proud promises made by certain Congress candidates, Sibal asked: "Is that promise there in the party manifesto? If it is not there in the party manifesto, then Congress party is not responsible."

Once the meeting with the media was over, Sibal wasted no time in getting back to Bangalore happy to have done his bit to promote the cause of the Congress. A reporter who was leaving the meet said: "Typical lawyer, if you cannot convince, then confuse. He sure throws a lot of numbers around." Well that’s Kapil Sibal, one of Congress's best spin doctors. One must appreciate the man's understanding of issues and some may feel a little comfort and reassured to know that there still are leaders who can comprehend problems and are ready to debate an issue and come up with an effective solution using the tools of democracy.

By Vikram Muthanna
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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