‘Congress came to us several times on impeaching Justice Varma … tried to tell them it is BJP’s move’

There is no doubt that SP is against corruption. But it was the BJP that first talked about an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma… BJP’s objective was not to finish corruption… BJP’s objective is to prove itself a champion against corruption. The Opposition parties had given an impeachment motion against Justice Shekhar Yadav (of Allahabad High Court who made a controversial speech at a VHP event last year), which is pending with the Rajya Sabha Chairman… Our stand was that if the government takes up the Opposition’s impeachment motion against Justice Shekhar Yadav, then we will support the impeachment motion against Justice Varma. But some of our Opposition parties, in the apprehension that BJP may take a lead on the issue of corruption, moved an impeachment motion against Justice Varma much before the government.

The government should take up the impeachment motion against Justice Yadav with the same sincerity and conviction. Because corruption is nothing in comparison to the communalisation of judicial institutions…

If the impeachment notice against Justice Varma is adopted and voting happens, what will be SP’s stand?
We will not support if the impeachment motion is taken up against Justice Varma only. If the government… gives any assurance to take up impeachment motion against Justice Yadav, we will be in support of both motions. A decision will be taken at the time of voting. But when the discussion will happen on Justice Varma, SP will focus on Justice Shekhar Yadav.

Doesn’t the Opposition appear divided on the impeachment notice?

You can say the Opposition appears divided. I can say the Opposition appears… to be rallying behind the BJP (on impeachment notice against Justice Varma).

Has SP discussed the matter with Congress or any other Opposition party?

Congress approached the SP several times and said we should move a notice for Justice Varma’s impeachment before the BJP moves. Several rounds of discussion happened. We tried to convince them that this is BJP’s move… The BJP is not ready to talk about Justice Yadav…

The SP joined other Opposition parties in Parliament on Monday the issue of Pahalgam terror attack. What is the party’s demand?

There are two things — Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. BJP’s notice is for a discussion on Operation Sindoor. The Opposition wants a discussion on the Pahalgam attack, which was a security breach… Pahalgam is a failure of the government. Discussion should happen on this matter. Operation Sindoor is an undisputed operation… There should be no debate on it… The BJP wants to take credit for the Army’s bravery and success.