Press Briefing Monday, 14th February 2011

Shri Manish Tewari addressed the media today.

Shri Manish Tewari said PDP’s depiction of the map of Jammu & Kashmir in yellow, green and red colours is highly objectionable. Whatever may have been the motivation, whatever might have been the objective, this kind of pictorial adventurism has long term diplomatic and political implications. The PDP may recall that on 22nd Feb 1994, Parliament had unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the state of Jammu & Kashmir to be an integral part of India. The resolution also put on record India’s views on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Without going into any clarifications, which will only further tie the PDP into knots, they would be well advised to withdraw this map immediately.

On the question as to what necessitated the Parliament to pass a resolution in 1994 that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India, Shri Tewari said he does not want to go into details of the issue but given the circumstances prevalent at that time, the Parliament of India, in its wisdom, thought it appropriate to present the stand of the Government of India once again on Jammu & Kashmir.

To another question related to the statement of the President of PDP that India is scared of China, Shri Tewari said the President of the PDP is venturing into the areas which are none of our concern. Insofar as the relationships with other sovereign countries are concerned, that is the exclusive preserve of the Union of India and the Union of India conducts its diplomatic relations keeping in view the best interests of India and for anybody to even suggest what has been suggested by the President of the PDP, for the sake of modesty, I would not use very harsh words but suffice to say that it is completely immature.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over the reported remarks of the three interlocutors appointed by the UPA in light of the resolution of 1994 as stated above, Shri Tewari said I have not come across any such statement by the interlocutors. The interlocutors have a specific mandate. They are talking to different stakeholders in J&K and they would report on those interactions to the government of India. If at all any statement has to be made with regard to what the interlocutors have said or not said, the appropriate people to do that, would be the officials or the Ministers of the government of India.

On another question whether the Congress party demands that the PDP should withdraw the map or apologize, Shri Tewari said every issue should not be politicized. There are various issues which are sensitive and keeping in view their sensitivity, one should be careful in choosing the words.

To a question over the reaction of the Congress party on the strong allegations made by Shri K. Sudhakaran, Member of Parliament against the Judges of the country, Shri Tewari said I have seen that report in some newspapers and if at all the MP concerned has made those observations, I think it is essentially between him and the institution that he has addressed in. I do not think it is appropriate for the Congress party to be commenting about it.

On the reaction of the Congress party over the statement of Shri Chidamabaram with regard to governance, Shri Tewari said insofar as the remarks of the Home Minister is concerned, he has possibly said so keeping in view the attributions made to him. It would be appropriate to address such questions to the Minister himself who was interviewed as to in which context such remarks were made.

On the reaction of the Congress party on the questioning of Fateh Ali Khan carrying huge sum of money on his person, Shri Tewari said since the matter is being investigated, it would be inappropriate to comment about the same at this stage.

To a question over the statement of Ms. Sushma Swaraj on the constitution of JPC, Shri Tewari said insofar as the JPC is concerned, the opposition has been articulating this demand for quite some time now. The Government and the party’s position on this were also expressed by the Leader of the House which was held on 8th February. The most important thing is that democratic institutions must be allowed to function. What would have been an appropriate the modus vivendi to do that, it is for the Government and the opposition to work it out but the important thing is that the opposition should not run away from the debate. The JPC or the demand for the JPC should not become a subterfuge to run away from the debate on the issue. We have been insisting from day one that let the matter be debated threadbare on the floor of the House and I think, in a democratic dispensation, that is fair legitimate and just demand.

To another question over the remarks of the RSS that they will be meeting the Prime Minister and demanding an investigation over the killings of their leaders, Shri Tewari said investigation of all such incidents of blasts where their leaders were found involved, is going on. Various agencies are probing into different aspects of such incidents. If RSS feels them a responsible organization, it would be better if they cooperate in the investigation and should desist making any comments which may hamper the investigations.

On the question of seat-sharing between the Congress party and the DMK during the forthcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Shri Tewari said there is mechanism in place to discuss the sharing arrangements and interaction with regard to that issue is underway. The appropriate thing would be to allow it to play out. Unnecessary speculation with regard to these kinds of issues is neither warranted nor correct.

To another question over TRS and other organizations giving a call for non-cooperation over the inaction of the centre in regard to implementation of Telegana process, Shri Tewari said centre should not be accused of inaction because the central government with alacrity had appointed Justice Srikrishna Committee and the committee has given its recommendations. There has been a meeting with regard to the recommendations which have been submitted and there is an effort which is underway to see as to how the issue can be best resolved in the larger interest of the country. So, if at all, the TRS or other such organizations are giving a call for non cooperation because of the inaction of the centre, it is completely unwarranted. If somebody has acted with responsibility and restraint, it is the UPA government.

To a question over reaction of the Congress party on the statement of Shri S.M. Krishna on his speech in the United Nations, Shri Tewari said the External Affairs Minister has explained the circumstances in which the entire episode took place and I do not think the Congress party has anything to add or subtract from that.



Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC