Press Briefing Thursday, 12th August 2010

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.


Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said all of you are aware that both the Houses of Parliament are functioning. We welcome the fact that proper debates are being conducted in an atmosphere of constructive debate and we have every hope that this atmosphere where reasons and constructive debate will continue so that important matters can be discussed in the coming days. I don’t need to elaborate any further.

On the question of reaction of the Congress party over the statement of Shri Arjun Singh yesterday in Rajya Sabha that he had apprised the then Prime Minister within few hours of the incident of Bhopal Gas tragedy, Smt. Natarajan said that I have nothing further to add to what we have said earlier. What Mr. Arjun Singh has spoken in the Rajya Sabha, speaks for itself. Our stand remains the same.

To another related question on the statement of Shri Arjun Singh over taking up the issue of extradition of Shri Anderson during the visit of Shri Obama in November this year, Smt. Natarajan said certainly GOM has recommended it. As far as the Congress Party is concerned, certainly we feel that in a forward looking sense, curative petition has been filed; remedial measures will also be undertaken. All those details have been given in the Parliament and we feel that the issue of extradition must be pursued. We believe that this issue should be taken up. We have said this before Shri Arjun Singh made his speech. This is not the first time that Shri Arjun Singh has discovered it. The Congress Party has been saying this since beginning.

Smt. Natarajan further added that it is a statement made by Shri Arjun Singh as Member of the Rajya Sabha and we do not wish to comment upon the statement made by him beyond what has been said on the issue by the Congress Party earlier and by the Minister speaking for the Government both outside and inside the Parliament.

Smt. Natarajan further said we believe it is important to look forward and whatever steps and legal measures need to be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice, the curative petition as far as the sections of IPC are concerned, all these are being considered by the GOM and we believe that it is equally important to pursue measures of remediation and relief to ensure that all those who are affected get proper medical treatment, toxic waste is removed and other constructive steps be taken.

To another question over the statement of Shri Arjun Singh that Shri Rajiv Gandhi did not have any sympathy with Shri Anderson then why the then Home Ministry was pressurising Shri Arjun Singh to let Mr. Anderson off the hook, Smt. Natarajan said that I am not a spokesperson for Shri Arjun Singh or for the Home Ministry at that time. She said that she has nothing further to add to what we have said earlier at various times on this issue. The Congress Party will not comment upon any individual’s speech in the Parliament. Every member or person is welcome to draw conclusions.

On a question on caste census on biometric stage, Smt. Natarajan said we would like to wait because these are still media reports. Until there is an authoritative announcement, what the GOM has decided, we would like to wait before sharing our view whether this should be done at the biometric stage.

On the reaction of the Congress Party over the statements made by senior congress leaders that Shri Suresh Kalmadi should step down, Smt. Natarajan said whatever we need to say on this has been said by my colleagues earlier. Smt. Natarajan further added that Shri Kalmadi is not there as a Member of the Congress Party. Whatever misconduct or any irregularity has been committed should and will be probed. The Minister has given this assurance. At this point of time, we believe the priority is to see that the games are conducted but to ensure that if any irregularities have been committed, whoever has committed those irregularities should be brought to book. Smt. Natarajan further said that the actions of Shri Kalmadi as President of an autonomous body are something that is not connected with the party in any way. It is about a non-political sports body.

Smt. Natarajan said that the Congress Party’s stand is that of completely endorsing and supporting the stand taken by the Government, by the Sports Minister in the Parliament when he said the priority is now to ensure that the games are conducted successfully because the prestige of the country is at stake and thereafter if any irregularity has happened, to ensure that the guilty are brought to book.





Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC