Press
Briefing Monday, 10th May 2010
Shri
Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.
Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that we have been watching
with some interest and not little amusement the curious
happenings in Jharkhand. There is an utter disregard for
the people of Jharkhand and for the common good in the
manner in which political antics are being played out in
that State. You have seen that as a responsible
political party, despite invitations to the contrary, we
have maintained a responsible distance and not allowed
ourselves, our hands, to be muddied with these
goings-on; but the people of Jharkhand and the people of
India have a legitimate right to know how is it that
there is no explanation about the vote of the Jharkhand
Chief Minister in the cut-motion? How is it that
thereafter there is a withdrawal of support ! How is
that thereafter there is a withdrawal of withdrawal by
the BJP ! Thereafter as a fourth step, there is talk of
rotation and sharing the spoils. Thereafter, as a fifth
step, there is a talk of a JMM Chief Minister only or a
tribal Chief Minister only and finally, there is a talk
of a BJP Chief Minister only. The Congress Party is not
interested in dirtying its hands with this dirty brand
of politics; but the Congress Party is entitled and
therefore, through you, asks this legitimate question on
behalf of the people of India. Who is accountable in
Jharkhand? What happens to days and weeks of
non-governance and mis-governance? What is the clear
message of greed for pulp, power and position displayed
by all the principal actors in this drama? These are the
issues of accountability in a democracy and apart from
deafening and eloquent silence, we get no reply. This is
also without saying so, needless to add, the extreme
form of opportunism and hypocrisy, which you are seeing
yet once more as an example of BJP politics.
On a question whether UPA-II is facing more problems as
compared to UPA-I with particular reference to Mr.
Jairam Ramesh’s statement and the Prime Minister telling
the Ministers to behave; Shri Singhvi said that the
Prime Minister and the PMO has clarified that it is not
appreciated that Ministers comment on other Departments
or other Ministries or other subjects and especially and
particularly when they are on foreign soil. That is very
clear from the statement. As far as Congress Party is
concerned, we have, of course, no hesitation in
recognizing and endorsing that statement and adding that
even within the country domestically, there should be no
occasion to air differences about other Ministries and
certainly there cannot be an occasion to do so on
foreign soil. Equally there is enough forays, be it in
the Government and the Council of Ministers or in the
party enough opportunities, enough foray to express and
state such views if any, if necessary and if legitimate;
but certainly it is not right or permissible to do so in
this manner. Shri Singhvi further said that the Congress
Party does not approve the contents of the statement.
On the question of Khap Panchayats, Shri Singhvi said
that individual persons can have different opinions and
at the moment you have got only an expression of an
opinion by an Hon’ble Member of Parliament. That does
not in the least mean that there is any change in the
Congress Party’s approach to the subject. The Congress
Party’s stand is crystal clear. The stand of the
Congress Party is that no customary law, no customary
practice can possibly be excused or condoned in any
manner if it involves either a violation of any law of
the land or involves violence by humans against humans
or involves killing of any kind in the name of honour,
tradition, heritage and customs. This is as categorical
stand as anybody can take. Certainly in a democracy,
every other point of view contrary to this view point
can be made, can be heard; but it does not mean that
this stand is in any manner diluted or changed.
To another question of free for all involving senior
leaders of the allies of the Congress Party and whether
it can be attributed to internal democracy or will you
attribute it to lack of control; Shri Singhvi said that
there is certainly a very wide spectrum of free thinking
and democracy in our party at all levels. Equally every
time an inappropriate comment has been made, you have
found us from this podium very categorical and clear and
you are forgetting that for each such comment, our
comment from this podium has been equally prompt and
equally clear. As far as specific question of our allies
is concerned; yes, in a democracy in alliances,
sometimes some difference or small static can be heard;
please do not give it undue importance. We do not find
it necessary to comment upon our allies’ comments or to
criticize our allies. These happen once in a while but
they do not affect the stability, the continuity and the
strength of the strong alliance.
Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC
