Press
Briefing Wednesday, 10th November 2010
Smt.
Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.
Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that the winter session of
Parliament has begun from yesterday and we looked
forward to considered and detailed discussion on various
important subjects which are in the public mind as well
as the passing of important pieces of legislation but it
is deeply regrettable and unfortunate that once again
opposition parties have resorted to obstruction of
parliamentary work and are refusing to allow the
functioning of parliament. During every session, this
has become the pattern which is adopted by the
opposition parties who indulge in shouting of slogans
and physical obstruction of legislative business and
also of detailed discussion. The Congress Party
understand that the Government is open to discussion on
all subjects of public interest which has also been
indicated in our party meetings i.e. Business Advisory
Committee. We, therefore, strongly condemn the waste of
parliament time, the obstructionist tactics employed by
the opposition which is the anti-thesis of democratic
discussion. We call upon the opposition to come forward
to discuss all issues in parliament and also to allow
parliament to function.
To a question on the criminal penalty against Shri Ashok
Chavan and Shri Suresh Kalmadi and also against other
leaders and officials and also those who seem to be
involved in these scandals and the involvement of Shri
A. Raja in 2-G Spectrum scam, Smt. Natarajan said that
the issue of Mr. Raja is something that has been
discussed several times in parliament. The matter is
subjudice. The CAG report appears to be a leak of some
kind. I have not seen any official CAG report and from
what I understand it has to go through a process by
which remarks are sought from the concerned departments
and only then will a final report be presented even to
the Government. At this point of time, I am unable to
comment on the CAG report. It appears to be a leak. As
long as the matter is subjudice and considering the fact
that Mr. Raja belongs to a party which is a coalition
ally, these are two factors. We are not able to comment
any further till the court decides the matter and while
we assert that it is the PM’s prerogative to decide upon
his council of ministers, we will also keep in mind the
coalition dharma when it comes to discussion of the
cabinet.
Smt. Natarajan further said that she would like to
strongly assert that it is the Congress and only the
Congress party and no other party that has ever taken
action against any member where there is even a
prima–facie case and moral responsibility is assumed by
the party, by the individual and whether a Chief
Minister or a Minister at the centre, the members of the
Congress party has always stood out for the highest
standards of integrity and accountability in public
life. This is in stark contrast to the BJP where if you
remember the Tehelka case, if you remember what happened
in Jharkhand. In Tehelka, Mr. George Fernandes, found to
be guilty, was not only reinstated but later on the very
person from whom the congress withdrew; the BJP formed
the Government in Jharkhand even though there were
charges against him. In Karnataka, in a blatant display
of horse-trading and money power where MLAs were bought
and sold, all these allegations of corruption and the
BJP remains silent. Nobody has assumed any
responsibility in the BJP and nobody has ever considered
themselves accountable in public life. This is in stark
contrast to the responsibility and integrity displayed
by the Congress party.
Smt. Natarajan said that as far as other issues are
concerned, we have categorically stated that after the
probe, whoever is found guilty should be brought to
books and we stand by that. We have always stood for
those high standards in public life.
To another question that the Chief Minister was asked to
step down pending enquiry in case of corruption, Smt.
Natarajan further said that first of all no case of
corruption has been proved. There was an issue which was
raised. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra took the
responsibility and pending enquiry offered to resign.
That offer has been accepted.
On the question on Justice Soumitra Sen and the reaction
of the Congress party on his impeachment, Smt. Natarajan
said that I am aware that the Judges’ report has found
the Judge guilty. We are yet to study the details of
that report but I would like to categorically state that
whether it is the legislature, executive or the
judiciary or any other public office, we would certainly
like to see that the highest standards of integrity and
accountability are maintained.
On the question of demand of JPC by the opposition, Smt.
Natarajan said that as far as JPC is concerned, the
leadership of the Congress party has not yet taken a
view on that but I feel that whatever steps have been
taken the party, has shown that it is completely
committed to the highest standards and we strongly
believe above all that there should be a discussion in
parliament. It is totally incorrect on the part of the
opposition to stall the house making a demand. They
should first come forward to discuss the issue in
parliament and let us see whet views emerge.
To another related question comparing the case of
Justice Soumitra Sen with that of Justice Ramaswamy,
Smt. Natarajan said that she does not accept the
comparison. As already stated, we are yet to study the
details of Justice Soumitra Sen ‘s case. As far as case
of Justice Ramaswamy is concerned and as far as I
remember, I think Parliament itself got dissolved at
that point of time. There were many other issues that
have come to the forefront which I do not want to raise
at this point of time but we should not compare the two
and after that when other issues came up for discussion,
the impeachment motion went.
To another question over acquisition of a flat from out
of the CM’s quota in Bhakti Park Apartment in Mumbai by
Shri Prithviraj Chavan when he was Member of Parliament,
Smt. Natarajan said she absolutely does not have any
information regarding this allegation and was sure that
it must be politically motivated.
Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC
