Press Briefing Thursday, 30 Apr 2009

Shri Ashwani Kumar addressed the media today.



Shri Ashwani Kumar said that it has been our endeavor and the Congress party strongly believes that the political discourse of the BJP and the opposition is seeking to trivialize the most important political event at the end of 5 years. In keeping with our considered view, I want to point out the distinction between the two brands of politics - one represented by the Congress and another by BJP. With that focus in mind, Shri Ashwani Kumar said that he has made the following comparison which will also be circulated to you.

Shri Ashwani Kumar said that with the third phase of polling behind us and the last two phases ahead, it is time to reiterate the core issues that would determine the direction of our politics and the composition of the next Government at the Centre.

The Congress party believes that notwithstanding the persistent but futile attempts of the BJP/Opposition to detract from the central issues that confront the nation, the choice is essentially between a vision for the future of young and progressive India represented by the Congress, an essentially divisive political agenda of the BJP and sheer anti-congressism represented by the left and the third front.

Shri Kumar said that while Congress seeks popular mandate to combat terror and secure the nation’s security, the BJP and its allies cannot think beyond Pilibhit, Ayodhya, Gujarat and Kandhamal.

Whereas the Congress seeks to address the scourge of unemployment and poverty through a comprehensive programme of economic empowerment of all, the politics of BJP and third front remain compulsively negative and frozen in time.

Shri Kumar said that while the Congress’ vision of good governance is reflected in initiatives such as RTI, and policies of inclusion, such as NREGA, Bharat Nirman, Food security and welfare measures for the youth, women, the elderly, the disabled and other weaker sections of society etc., the BJP’s claim to ‘good governance’ seems limited to berating and denigrating constitutional functionaries and institutions including our judicial process.

While the leadership of Congress has quietly laid firm foundations of India as a global economic power through a historic average GDP growth of 8.6% in the last five years and the successful conclusion of Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, the BJP has yet to shun its divisive agenda and explain in the peoples’ court its failures in Kandhar and Kargil as also its failure to address acute poverty and resulting in a decisive rejection of its ‘India-Shining’ campaign.

Shri Kumar said that as in the past, Congress seeks the support of the people of India for enabling it to carry forward its programme of national resurgence and economic empowerment of the weaker sections of society while securing through all means, the security of our nation. In the above premises, we believe that the Congress party will be the nation’s instinctive first choice for Government formation at the Centre.

To a question, Shri Kumar said the CBI is going to make a submission before the Court. What transpires between the CBI and the prosecution agency in the Court is not for the Congress party to comment. They have taken their time and from the news report it is gathered that all our options are open.

To another question, Shri Kumar said that unfortunately BJP could not see ‘Congress ka haath aam aadmi ke saath’. It only shows the blinkered vision of a politically bankrupt party.

To another question why the old issues are raised time and again, Shri Kumar said that Kandahar and Kargil is mentioned only when the BJP talks about internal security and Pilibhit is said when BJP talks about Gujarat.

To a question, Shri Kumar said that the issue of Bofors is raised only at the time of election by the BJP to get political mileage out of the same. He further added Advani feels helpless before Prime Minister and Smt. Sonia Gandhi and for which he always raises this question before the elections. Every time this issue has been rejected by the people of India. This time also the people of India, after clearly understanding the political bankruptcy of the BJP, would reject them.

To another question Shri Kumar said that there is a mention in the manifesto of the Congress party and in the document of the Planning Commission that a budgetary provision of Rs. 31,000 crore has been made for the skill development of the youth in the country to enable them to get employment and to enter India of 21st century. Consequently there will be no unemployment in the country.

To a question relating to L.K. Advani’s suggestion for compulsory voting, Shri Kumar said that this can be brought out only with a constitutional amendment. He further added that no political party should have any objection to ensuring by all means that the maximum number of people cast their vote. Shri Kumar added that with the largest possible participation of people in the electoral process of the country will strengthen the democracy of the country.

To another question, Shri Kumar said that he fully shares that the quality of the political discourse in the country has declined in the country in the last couple of years. It should not happen. The Congress Party had tried to maintain minimum civilized standards of political discourse and has always rejected a campaign of personalized attack and vilification which was started in this country not very long ago.

To another question, Shri Kumar said that in February 2004 the Delhi High Court drew the prosecution case. The new Government was formed in May 2004, that what prevented them in the course of 65 days to prefer an appeal in the Court. If the BJP, who came to power on the issue of Bofors in 1989, could not file an appeal within 60 days of the judgment, they should not blame others. Shri Kumar added that the BJP does not have any moral authority to raise this issue time and again at the time of elections only. Shri Kumar further added that the Congress party is definitely going to form the next Government at the Centre.

(Tom Vadakkan)

Secretary, AICC