Was it a good decision to merge the Samata with the JD (U)?
Yes, that decision has worked to the advantage of [the] JD (U). Even in Karnataka, where there was an attempt to weaken us, we have got 28 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats under the NDA alliance. The BJP’s Arun Jaitley played a crucial role in working this out. Have you got a fair deal with the BJP in seat-adjustment this time? Yes, I would say so. The JD (U) has weakened at some places, so we should be reasonable in asking for seats. We have sought only those seats where we have [a] base and can win. Last time you had contested 40 seats in alliance with the BJP and 20 on your own. What about this time? About 55 or so. On our own we’ll contest two each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, one in Orissa, one in West Bengal and seven or eight in Tamil Nadu. What is your poll strategy? The NDA Government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee had 24 parties. Ours was the second largest party. We will go to the people with the work done by us in the last five years and with the assurance that [we] will com
