Press Briefing Wednesday, 30th December 2009
Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.
Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that we have come to the last briefing for 2009 and I just wanted to mention that 2009 has been an exceptionally important and successful year for the Indian National Congress. For the first time in many years, the incumbent Government at the centre has been re-elected to Government and we see in a large measure that this is a victory of the leadership of the Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the mobilization of youth by our General Secretary Shri Rahul Gandhi. We also see this as an important validation of core Congress values of secularism and inclusive growth. Several important legislative measures have also been enacted in 2009 particularly the Right to Education Bill in addition to important measures that were enacted in earlier years which have received the support of the people such as NREGA, Right to Information Bill, Law against Domestic Violence, Law against Communal Violence and other such laws.
Smt. Natarjan further said that several important laws have been enacted and several important laws are on the anvil. We also would like to refer to the fact that after the gloomy and extremely unfortunate end to 2008 following upon 26/11, the Government has turned its focus upon the major task of the fight against terror and has succeeded to a large measure in keeping terrorist forces at bay in 2009. That work continues and will require the unity and commitment of Central and State Governments and also of every single citizen. Our Government has tried to keep it as the year free from communal tension and we have to a great extent succeeded in that effort as well. On the front of the economy, despite a global recession, the Government has managed to keep the focus upon inclusive growth. Not just growth but growth that is inclusive in the sense that the ordinary man and the disadvantaged section of the society are also benefited by the social security net and other benefits provided by various Government initiatives. A great deal more needs to be done on this front and the efforts and initiative against controlling rise in prices will continue on a war footing on the same lines as the successful tackling of this problem that has happened over the year. The party has also won assembly elections in several important States and on the whole we have emerged as the largest and most credible political formation in the country and in the 125th year of the foundation of the party, the entire party once against rededicates itself on the lines suggested by the Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister on 28th December. Once again we rededicate ourselves to the service of the nation.
On the question of the Congress party being not able to form the Government in Jharkhand despite having good number of seats, Smt. Natarajan said that she would not characterize it in that way as far as Jharkhand is concerned. The Government which has been formed there is an unnatural formation of the vested interest. The BJP, which had all along criticized Shri Shibu Soren and has come down from 31 to 18 seats, has done an about-turn in the most manipulative cynical fashion and cobbled together an unstable Government there which demonstrates a complete lack of political integrity.
On the question of political integrity, Smt. Natarajan further said that the BJP, which had criticized and even today various sections within the BJP still criticize Mr. Shibu Soren, did not hesitate for the sake of forming a Government to immediately change their state of views and also the fact that they do not have the mandate from the people to form the Government, is the reason why she called it lack of political integrity.
On the question of creation of a separate State of Telengana, Smt. Natarajan said this is an issue which the Home Minister has already spoken about that far wide ranging consultations are necessary and in view of the fact that almost all political parties in Andhra including the Telugu Desam and the Praja Rajyam have changed their views and because of the prevailing unrest wide ranging consultations are necessary. That is the reason why the matter has been deferred until those consultations are done. Our policy on Telengana is in our manifesto. Our policy is very clear. Home Minister made an announcement based upon a resolution that came out of an all party meeting convened by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. After that, following upon the reversal of the position by major political formations and other large sections of the people, wider consultations have been called for.
Smt. Natarajan further added that this is a very delicate matter where each step will have to be taken after proper consultations. Regarding the actual technical details, the Government will decide on how to go about. This is an issue which is pending for over 45 to 50 years. We took a certain position in our manifesto and thereafter resolution was passed at an all party meeting. Based on the fact of all political parties cutting across political lines, there has been a change in the position and all these issues have to be considered and it is sensible to consider all points of view. That is the reason why we call it a sensitive matter. Therefore, there is no reversal as such.
On the question of Ministers from Telengana region resigning and whether the congress party will persuade them to withdraw such resignations and also the particular time frame decided for such wider consultations in this regard, Smt. Natarajan said that she is not in a position to fix the time frame. She further added that such process is going on. The senior party leadership is seized of the matter and we will deal with all those issues within the party.
She said that all issues can be solved through dialogue and she was confident that the Government will handle the matter to the satisfaction of all concerned.
On the question of Mr. Vijayan seeking anticipatory bail, Smt. Natarajan said that the Congress party particularly in Kerala has always called upon Mr. Vijayan to give an account of himself as far this case is concerned and she believes that it is unfortunate that a senior political leader has now found himself in a position to seek anticipatory bail and we believe that in the interest of political integrity, he should come clean on his role in the matter.
On the question of the comments of Shri Shashi Throor that visa policy needs to be liberal, Smt. Natarajan said that already Shri SM Krishana from the Government and Shri Janardan Dwivedi from the Congress party has also spoken on this issue and she has nothing further to add.
Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC
