Press Briefing Wednesday, 12th October 2011

Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.

Shri Abhishek Singhvi said is this a ‘yatra’ which symbolizes injustice and arbitrariness. Far from being an anti-corruption ‘yatra’, is this ‘yatra’ symbolic of corruption, injustice and arbitrariness. Let me explain. Let us look at corruption. I make this bold statement that perhaps in 15-20-25 years, nobody except this government and the Congress party in particular, has taken more concrete steps towards this in respect of curbing corruption. Regarding black money, some 80 odd agreements, new bilateral, new clauses and I want only to highlight two recent developments which give you an idea of how these changes are already taking effect. The Swiss government has now agreed that prospectively it will start disclosing information. The Lokpal is actively under way. We can argue about the clauses but for the first time in several decades, a strong comprehensive effective remedial Lokpal Bill will be available in the proximate future. The corruption is not about black money or Lokpal only. Corruption is about reducing discretionary powers. It is this UPA and this Congress which has department-wise already listed those powers which have to be eliminated. Already listed – This happened after Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s Burari declaration. It is this UPA and this Congress which has set up a high powered committee which has given specific recommendations about reducing corruption in two crucial areas – mineral resources and generally other natural resources other than mineral resources and it is now the Prime Minister who has talked just very recently about the active initiation of certain crucial electoral reforms many of which pertain directly to corruption issue. I want to ask a simple question which of these specific things, which I have listed before you, did Mr. Advani, the BJP or anybody in the BJP take one concrete steps in those six years. How many speeches did Mr. Advani give on black money from 1998 to 2004 and was it amnesia then or is it selective amnesia now. Why, and this is a very important question many of these things, I am asking, are by now initiated by Mr. Advani, the BJP, the entire BJP in each BJP-ruled state. Tell me which is the Lokayukta model which they are asking as per the Jan Lokpal model Gujarat or in Uttarakhand. aHas HHas Mr. Advani asked ever as to why there is no Lokayukta actually sitting under that Act even though that Act is different from Jan Lokpal. Has any BJP state listed the discretionary powers department-wise in that state – listed them for elimination as is being done as I speak in the Central government. Therefore, the question is which is the party who has taken more concrete steps and which is the party who has shed crocodile tears during the last 20 years? This ‘yatra’ is more supportive of injustice and arbitrariness than to fight the corruption. It is known to everyone as to which party has introduced the Right to Information Act which is the greatest tool to fight the corruption. It is this UPA government which has introduced an important amendment to the Benami Transaction Act which had not been done since 1988. This ‘yatra’ does not indicate as to who brought the Whistleblower Bill and gave a detailed report on that.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over the contradiction in the quantum of the black money as stated by Mr. Advani earlier now and in 2009, Shri Singhvi said why this question has been raised by Mr. Advani now in 2009 only. Was he not aware of the black money before? It is very difficult for him to escape this question. The figures are overstated to create political sensationalism and nothing else.

On another question as to the reaction of the Congress party over the two letters - one of today’s date - released by Shri Digvijaya Singh regarding Anna Hazare and his links with RSS, Shri Singhvi said I have not come across any such letter of today and requested the media to check up with Shri Janardan Dwivedi Ji, General Secretary on this issue. Shri Singhvi further said that there is a statement given by Shri Digvijaya Singh Ji and it is a public domain. He has given evidence also. He has given reasons also in support of his contention. He is entitled to his views and others are also entitled to their views.

To a question over Anna team campaigning against the Congress party in the bye-election in Hissar, Shri Singhvi said I am not here to comment on what he or his team decides. There is no question of my pre-empting a reply on that. There is a legitimate question mark which several sections of civil society are themselves raising and the ‘janta janardan’ is raising as to why in a blanket manner your antipathy for a particular party is irrespective of the merits, culpability, the image of other candidates. So these dictates have to be candidate specific and not against the party.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over the statement of the CAG over the credibility of the government, Shri Singhvi said he was speaking at a memorial lecture in a democratic country. Everybody is entitled to his views. There is no doubt that constitutional authority has to exercise requisite restraint which is due both to themselves and, therefore, have to practice unto others what they expect unto themselves. Secondly, it is clear that no constitutional authority is entitled to express any view on the policy making or the merits of the policy except that they can express their view which will be entirely treated as their personal view.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over the fact that Prashant Bhushan has been manhandled in his chamber in the Supreme Court, Shri Singhvi said I am very sorry to hear this. I have no idea of the facts. If this is true, I don‘t think any right thinking person will support it.

To a question on Union Law Minister making a statement that Lokpal should be given a constitutional status, Shri Singhvi said I am not going to give you any answer as far as result is concerned except to say that there are diverse views and this is one of the very significant and weighty views which was expressed in the Parliament earlier. The Minister has repeatedly said what has been said by a leading MP. This will depend on the collective wisdom of the Standing Committee. It is very important point of view. In fact this is an open secret that eminent constitutional experts including former Chief Justice are going to depose before our committee tomorrow.

To a question on the Right to recall, Shri Singhvi said I am not going to make any comment after the Prime Minister has spoken. He has given a view on it.

On the latest situation in regard to creation of separate Telengana state, Shri Singhvi said in the last one week, you know very well, that there have been focused meetings and focused deliberations on this delicate issue. Obviously we cannot discuss with you in public and we cannot comment on a highly sensitive issue.

On another question on the Congress party’s view on the report of the interlocutors on J&K, Shri Singhvi said this is a work in progress. This is an issue in the making. This has gone to the Union Home Ministry and will be processed. This is after all the end product of almost 6 to 8 months of visits, personal meetings. It has to be looked at carefully. We have not yet seen the nitty-gritty of the report. Ultimately, the position will depend first on the processing of the Union Home Ministry and then the Union Cabinet.




(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC