'Modi Government has Done Nothing New': Chidambaram on Black Money Row

New Delhi: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram spoke to NDTV on a range of issues, from  the black money row to coal reforms. Here are the highlights: 

• The Modi government has done nothing new.
• Can't link Congress to individual leaders with Swiss accounts.
• Taking credit is the advantage of a successor government.
• Congress name on black money list could be individual transgression.
• Not the party, individual named will be embarrassed.
• BJP position on black money identical to that of the Congress.
• Government's affidavit in Supreme Court on black money was a U-turn from the BJP's position.
• The BJP doesn't have the grace to admit it did a U-turn on black money.
• Even UPA said it will disclose names once charges are filed.
• BJP criticised our stand; now they are taking the same position on black money.
• We disclosed 18 black money names to Supreme Court.
• We pushed Swiss authorities to enter into agreement to disclose names.
• Raised the issue in G20; final declaration spoke of information sharing.
• Elections were announced before we could have a written agreement.
• I did not ask to see, nor was I shown the black money names.
• Jaitley wanted to move from black money to blackmail; why not release the name.
• If an individual has violated the law, the individual assumes responsibility.
• Any government in power for 10-15 years is bound to face corruption allegations.
• Excesses of individuals leave a stain on the government as a whole.
  
• I don't know the facts of Vadra case; I can't comment on it.
• Vadra case never came to the Finance Ministry formally
• May be Vadra case created a perception for the Congress
• The government's decision on coal leaves a lot to be desired.
• The Supreme Court order on coal largely right; but several areas have have thrown up new problems
• Supreme Court order gave a chance to clean up coal sector without compromising Coal India
• Barring mines that Coal India needs; all other mines should have opened up.
• Ours was a coalition government; there was no consensus on coal reforms.
• Congress morale is low, leadership needs to respond urgently
• Congress reorganisation long overdue; must start soonest.
• Nobody has asked anybody to be a sycophant in the party.
• Sonia Gandhi most acceptable Congress leader; amongst youth it's Rahul Gandhi.
• A non-Gandhian can be Congress president in the future. As long as Sonia Gandhi is Congress president, she is numero uno.
• Government has scored heavily on propaganda; strategy and policy are missing.
• We dealt with Pakistan with far greater maturity and sobriety.
• PM's focus has been more on domestic constituency.
• PM visit to Japan didn't yield agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.
• PM's meet with President Xi yielded few Gujarat-specific agreements.