Press Briefing Wednesday, 22 Apr 2009

Shri Anand Sharma addressed the media today.

Shri Anand Sharma said that as we are preparing for the second phase of voting tomorrow, it is clearly evident from the issues that have been raised, discussed and debated and the campaign which is there in different parts of the country. Campaigning by the Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi, campaign by our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was yesterday in Maharashtra, and the campaign by the senior colleagues and leaders, is clear that there is a discernible and positive response to the Indian National Congress in appreciation of the work that the Indian National Congress has done, the performance of the last 5 years and the fact that whatever was said in the year 2004 have been fulfilled to a large extent.

Shri Sharma said that our opponents, as we have said earlier, too lack the coherent vision for a national agenda. Their approach has been reactive and negative. The country needs a leadership who has a vision which is clear about the direction India needs to take. In the present context, when there are challenges - both internal and global, challenges which are connected with the further economic down turn, the challenges internal to our security and stability, we have also to see that the various measures that the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the UPA Government has taken is clearly yielding results. Slowly and definitely, we are on the right course when it comes to the Indian economy and the macro economic stability of this country and the inherent strength and resilience.

Shri Sharma said that in any comparative analysis we make with the countries which are similarly placed on the advanced economy, India is doing definitely better which is a sign of reassurance. The other opponents of the Congress party who have a democratic right to say what they are saying, are neither in a position to create a credible political platform, let alone any front which has sustained itself and served the country in the present juncture. Given the fact that the coming together of individuals with inflated aspirations, parties with conflicting ideologies, lacking any unity of purpose cannot serve this country and stand rejected.
On the question whether the Congress party is a party to DMK’s call of bandh in Tamil Nadu in view of the failure of the Government not taking any action to save innocent Tamil civilians, Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress party’s position was explained with clarity so was the Government position. We have been deeply concerned over the evolving situation in Sri Lanka particularly humanitarian situation which is grave. The Government of India has throughout impressed upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that the civilians who are trapped in the conflict zones and also in the no-fire zones get a safe passage to peaceful areas.

Shri Anand Sharma said that tens of thousands of civilians have come out. The Government of India has impressed upon Sri Lanka to ensure that the civilian population can move or shift to safer zones. It is also imperative and incumbent upon LTTE to allow the trapped civilians and internally displaced persons to safer zones. We have extended all possible humanitarian assistance to the Tamil civilian population in Sri Lanka. There are medical teams from the three Armed services who are attending to thousands of medical emergencies including more than 1500 serious cases.

Shri Anand Sharma said that we have also extended assistance for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the civilians who are moving to other places by sending family packs. Family packs do include all that would be required for the immediate rehabilitation to a new place. We have the material ready for 40,000 more emergency packs to be flown to Sri Lanka immediately. That is there in the port which will leave any minute. We hope that the civilian population will get all assistance. We are also clear that there are issues and aspirations of Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka which should be met within a democratic and constitutional framework. That is what India has been pressing for and we have throughout been firm in our policies.

Shri Anand Sharma further said that position of the Congress party is very clear. Shri Sharma made it very clear that the Congress party is fighting these elections with our allies with state specific seat sharing understanding. Indian National Congress has its own policy positions. Shri Sharma said that the questioner has himself said that the call has been given by another party. He does not have anything further to say.

To the question whether the call of Bandh will impact DMK - one of the allies of UPA, Shri Anand Sharma said that he does not agree at all. This has not started today. It has been going on for decades. We have been very firm and consistent when it comes to taking a position and to extend our solidarity and support to the Sri Lankans of Tamil origin. The assistance has to be in action and that assistance is not merely in words. We have extended practical assistance on the ground to ensure that the civilians, who are trapped, are able to move out to safer areas. They get all assistance for rehabilitation. They get all medical assistance. That is what India is expected to do, that is what India is doing. India is also clear that the conducive environment is a must to address the legitimate issues concerning the Sri Lankan Tamils and reiterating within the constitutional framework.

On the question of CM of Tamil Nadu Shri Karunanidhi sending a telegram to Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh insisting on Indian Government to impress upon Sri Lanka to give them ultimatum to immediately order permanent ceasefire, Shri Anand Sharma said that on the 17th of this month Shri Pranab Mukherjee had reaffirmed India’s position and made a categorical statement saying for a pause, that is an extension in the ceasefire. That is what the Indian central Minister has said regarding what has been raised. Otherwise we do not have any further comment to offer except to say that we are keeping a close and strict watch over the situation and doing what India is expected to do in this grim situation. Shri Sharma also made it clear that when it comes to the trapped civilian population, they are the unfortunate victims of the situation. As far as LTTE is concerned, it is a proscribed terrorist organization not only in India but all over the world. It would be a huge mistake to equate the two. We are committed to above that what is possible in this difficult situation for the civilian Tamil population and their rights.




(Tom Vadakkan)

Secretary, AICC