Press Briefing Wednesday, 16th November 2011

Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.

On the question of reaction of the Congress party over the statement of different parties on the speech of Shri Rahul Gandhi in his rally on 14th November, Shri Singhvi said it is regrettable that a pure metaphorical flourish has been deliberately torn out of context and distorted. In fact, if you see the whole statement Shri Rahul Gandhi is clearly saying and meaning the opposite. His intent is to convey the great talent, industry and achievements of the people of UP and his intent is to convey the terrible mis-governance within UP which drives out these talented persons outside UP to seek work. So to read those words literally is doing great disservice to the essence of the meaning and therefore, I would request people deliberately not to play politics and not to inflame the passions for narrow political gains.

To a question over the reaction of the Congress party on Shri Azam Khan’s statement on filing of FIR against Congress Ministers, Shri Singhvi said that I am not going to say anything on this because in case it is a legal process, let the process work itself out. Whatever clear defence the people concerned have to put, they will put up. It is but obvious that it is a highly surcharged atmosphere. There is a deliberate act of provocation by certain people in an atmosphere of high security. Certainly what was done was not intended to be a kind of licence for violence but I have no doubt that proper defence will be set up and I do not want to pre-judge that or pre-comment on that.

On the question of reaction of the Congress party over the statement of CM of UP over carving of separate states out of UP, Shri Singhvi said we have already answered. No further comment is necessary. I want to reiterate that political gimmickry is not the answer to real policy making or to real decision making. We all understand why suddenly after four years of inaugurating monuments in the 4/1-2 years past mark this issue is suddenly remembered by the CM of UP. Whether it is out of frustration or apprehension and the great success of Shri Rahul Gandhi’s programme, we do not know. Third and most important point is that the Congress party has never believed in playing politics on significant issues of national importance. There is an established process for such matters and that process alone can be followed. We are not for short term political gain or political sensationalism. We will do what we think is correct for the long term and the medium term interest of the nation. Shri Singhvi further added that it has been clarified that no specified decision has been taken but certainly one of the options without indicating any decision would be that. There are other options also. There are so many options.

To a further question on the deposition by CAG before the JPC, Shri Singhvi said this is a parliamentary committee process. Certainly one person is entitled to his witnesses’ opinion. The Parliamentary committee will decide what CAG has said which is subject to cross-examination. What the person or the persons before him has said is also in the public domain. The contradiction and paradoxes between the different statements has come in the public domain and is clear before all of you and the degree to which a question mark is raised thereto is also clear. Let all this be decided by the Parliamentary committee.

To a question whether the PM should also come under the ambit of Lokpal pending before the Standing committee, Shri Singhvi said that these are all confidential matters and cannot be commented upon. There has been elaborate discussion on at least 10-12 issues where understanding is likely to be arrived at. Those issues cannot be made public at this point of time. The discussion is still on and whether the PM should be included or not included is also an important issue. It would not be appropriate to fix any time limit in this regard. The committee is moving in right direction and in near future we expect to arrive at a conclusion. Shri Singhvi assured that every effort will be made by the committee for having proper co-ordination between Lokpal, CVC and the CBI.

On the question of introducing FDI in Pension Fund, Shri Singhvi said it is pre-mature to arrive at any decision since it has only been passed by the Cabinet. Efforts are made to strengthen the same to the extent that the members get maximum benefit out of the scheme.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over an old case where a girl’s dead body was found in the car of Mr. Nitin Gadkari in 2009, Shri Singhvi said we could also play politics but unlike other parties, the Congress party has never believed in cheap sensationalism or in trying to make irresponsible statements. There is a process. In case there is any doubt of a real kind, there are very specific remedies open including going to the Court. We should reserve our comments as of now.

On another question on bail granted to all the accused in Cash-for-vote scam, Shri Singhvi said it is a legal process and we should not comment on any legal process.

On another question on anti Maoists policies of West Bengal government, Shri Singhvi said these are matters which a state government has to take a decision according to local realities. There is no generic or blanket answer. If the West Bengal government has taken a decision, it is based on the ground realities of West Bengal and it will have to be proved its efficacy or its lack of efficacy. Let it itself work out.

On the question of reaction of the Congress party over the judgment pronounced in case of honour killing, Shri Singhvi said the Congress party does not believe in taking in any manner direct or indirect a lenient view of such things. This is a reprehensible social stigma, a crime and social scourge. This needs to be exterminated.




(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC