Click to play videoLok Janskati Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan is all geared up for the elections and is confident that he along with Lalu Prasad will emerge as the winners in Bihar.
As Bihar goes to the second phase of the General Elections, in an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN Paswan called his decision of joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a mistake and said he wants to see Manmohan Singh as the prime minister. Paswan is contesting from the Hajipur seat in Bihar.
CNN-IBN: After the elections, will you remain with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) or not?
Ram Vilas Paswan: No, I don't intend to change my alliance. We were with the UPA and we will remain with them even after the polls.
CNN-IBN: After what happened in Bihar (Ram Vilas Paswan and Lalu Prasad joined hand in Bihar for the elections, leaving the Congress all alone in the state), it seems that you and Lalu Prasad are thinking over a new option, may be forming a Third Front like one formed in 1996.
Ram Vilas Paswan: No, there is nothing like that. We just have a seat-sharing arrangement with Laluji and Mulayam Singhji. We are with the UPA.
CNN-IBN: So, are you fine with Manmohan Singh as the UPA's prime ministerial candidate or you want someone else to become the PM?
Ram Vilas Paswan: Manhoman Singh is the PM, our party and alliance wants that Manhoman should be the PM.
CNN-IBN: So, you are confirming that you are out of the PM race and want Manmohan Singh as the PM?
Ram Vilas Paswan: Yes, we want Manhoman Singh to be PM.
CNN-IBN: Now, I would like to talk to your (Ram Vilas Paswan) son - Chiraag Paswan. Your father is a good old style politician contesting yet another elections and there is you who is hoping to make a debut in Bollywood. How do you explain this generation gap?
Chiraag Paswan: I don't need to explain any kind of generation gap. I have always accompanied my father in all his election rallies but yes this is the first time that I would do a lot many things on my own because I think I have grown up now to share the responsilities with him.
CNN-IBN: So, what would you prefer to do - politics or cinema?
Chiraag Paswan: Politics is something that flows in my blood, I have inherited it from my family but Bollywood is something I am interested in and keen on.
CNN-IBN: Looking at the politics going on in Bihar, it seems that you, Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh have taken a backfoot and Nitish Kumar is moving forward.
Ram Vilas Paswan: Result will show who will come to power.
CNN-IBN: There is a common belief that after the elections, you can go either ways - join the UPA or the NDA - what is your reply to this?
Ram Vilas Paswan: It was big blunder of my life to go with the NDA. We will not repeat this mistake in the future.
CNN-IBN: Do you think that once again the Congress will have to tie-up with the Left to form a government in 2009?
Ram Vilas Paswan: Left is a secular party and we want all secular parties should stay with the UPA.
CNN-IBN: Do you want your son also to join politics?
Ram Vilas Paswan: I have left it on Chiraag whether he wants to join politics or take some other field.
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