Press Briefing Thursday, 29th July 2010
Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.


Shri Abhishek Singhvi said the irresponsibility of the opposition is reaching alarming heights. This is not a discussion about price rise. This is not a difference or dispute about price rise. There are several significant facets which have to be appreciated. Firstly, there is a ruling of the Chair about a particular rule under which a motion is sought to be admitted. The ruling of the Chair is final and binding on all parts of the House. Once a Chair gives a ruling, I wonder how any party can in perpetuity disrupt proceedings merely because they disagree with that ruling. Please look at the consequence of this principle. It means that any political party has a Veto power in respect of any decision making by the Chair. It means that there is direct disrespect for the Chair. It means that any political party can disrupt proceedings in a sense black-mail Parliament indefinitely unless and until the ruling is to the liking and choice of that political party and indefinite boycott after a decision in a matter raised by the opposition has been given is completely unsupportable, is completely unjustified. It is also important to note that absolutely no part of the substantive discussion on price rise is inhibited on behalf of the Government or the ruling parties which make up the coalition. No part of the discussion is inhibited. There is a limit to which the opposition can allow fork to take the place of substance. The only part which is eliminated is political ‘stunt-bazi’, political sensationalism. The only part which is eliminated is the form and manner of discussion which does not need which does not affect the substance – even one millimeter. We believe that these are unfortunate, unfair unjustified tactics to divert the attention from the Reddys and the Shahs of the opposition. It is an attempt to cover up for the skeletons tumbling fast out of the opposition cupboard – be it the cupboard of Karnataka or the cupboard of Gujarat. As far as the prices are concerned, we are no less concerned. We want discussion – we want full discussion and we are ready for any allegation and all criticism. But the game plan of the opposition which wants to unite with the Left is to disrupt for the sake of disruption. This unity of the principal opposition parties and the NDA and of the Left is itself opportunistic and based on political expediency. Even that is done without giving credit to each other although clearly they are political bed-follows in this game plan of disruption, diversion of attention and an attempt to take the focus away from the huge scams in which several parts of the opposition are involved. We appeal to them to consider that the public of this nation deserves better. We appeal to them that no part of the substantive discussion being inhibited, there is absolutely no reason to delay Parliament by one minute.

On the question why the Government is scared of voting when the opposition is seeking discussion on price rise under rule 184, Shri Singhvi said, same question, tomorrow they will move under third rule or fourth rule. If you are not ready prepared to accept the ruling of the Speaker and Rule ‘X’, you have no business to keep on moving new motions under new rule. Very well, will you accept the ruling under the new rule? The question is that the conduct of the opposition in the last few days and weeks makes it clear that unless and until their end result is achieved, they will respect absolutely no ruling of either the Speaker nor will they respect parliamentary tradition to allow discussion. That is completely unacceptable and I think this conduct exposes the true intent and the true approach of the opposition completely.

On the question of Left moving with the BJP, Shri Singhvi said I would not like to take the names but I entirely agree with the spirit of your question. There is direct, total unq ualified concerted action, time and again followed by shadow boxing and complete artificial sparring which fools no one. I think it exposes both the parties you mentioned and both the groupings you mentioned before the public. The rest is for the public to decide. But this ‘zora kushti’ fools no one.

On the question of even Samajwadi Party and the RJD also joining them, Shri Singhvi said this is a democracy. I am even going to the extent of agreeing with you to say that it is open to any party even within or without the coalition to put a point of view forward about the kind of discussion they want. That is not the point I am making. I would stand by that right in the last analysis. The real point is how far you will push that right. Once that right is asserted in Parliament, there is a system provided for final decision. We are not here to questioning the foundation of that system – be it the Business Advisory Committee or the Speaker. Once a decision is given, how long can you carry a debate about a debate? Why don’t you get on with the debate? Today we are now talking of finality. A finality, which the constitution says, cannot be challenged even in the top Court of the country. The ball is entirely in the court of the opposition.

On the question of Shri Narender Modi also coming under the scanner of CBI in the case of Amit Shah, Shri Singhvi said as far the merits of these cases are concerned, we have scrupulously repeated we are only concerned that delaying and obstructive tactics or diversionary tactics as adopted in the case of Amit Shah a few days ago should not be repeated for other investigative procedures. If any person under investigation is ultimately found innocent or not worth proceeding with, the CBI and the CBI designated Court will take its own course. But we strongly oppose the dramas and diversionary tactics which are clearly intended to create an arc of immunity against culpable person and we hope that drama and absolutely reprehensible conduct we saw in the case of Amit Shah will not be repeated. Shri Singhvi further added that we want the laws to take its own course and punish the guilty.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress Party over the Commonwealth Games projects under the scanner of the CVC, Shri Singhvi said this is a serious matter if there is an iota of corruption. We do not support corruption. It cannot have any direct connection with the Games. If any individual or organization is involved in corruption, strict action should be taken against them. There should be no efforts on anyone’s part to disrupt the games which are prestigious for the country as well as for Delhi. The party stands with the rule where the system functions and not about the individuals and individuals’ statements.





Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC