'I'm very saddened. It was conveyed over phone'

Soon after his expulsion, Jaswant Singh spoke to Indrani Bagchi from Shimla

What was your first reaction?

I am very saddened that the decision should have been conveyed to me over phone. No one had the courtesy of coming to see me personally to tell me about it. I am particularly saddened that Advaniji, with whom I have enjoyed a close political and personal association for over 30 years, could not inform me personally. I have known Rajnath for less, but very well nevertheless.

Was BJP surprised by the book?

I had sent copies in English and Hindi to Advaniji, well before its release. He even called me to confirm he had received them.

Why do you think you were expelled?

I do not want to get into recriminations. This is a question the party is best equipped to answer.

What bothers you most?

That I can get expelled for writing a book. You may not agree with the book or its argument. But if we can't think, read or write, engage in any kind of intellectual exercise or question without inviting this kind of retribution, what sort of country are we making ourselves into?

So, what will you do next?

I will do what I have always done — work for my constituency, and the people of Darjeeling in Parliament. Of course, if the people of Darjeeling now want another representative, that's a different matter.

Honour, ultimately, it's a question of honour. Remember, that was the title of my last book, 'A Call to Honour'. At the end of the day, it's honour that's most important.