Press Briefing Thursday, 18th August 2011

Smt. Renuka Chowdhary addressed the media today.

On the question of rolling out red carpet for Anna Hazare in the form of conceding almost all of his demands and other questions related with his ‘andolan’, Smt. Chowdhary said what is the wrong part in rolling out the red carpet? She said governance is never static. It is a dynamic system and governance changes as the needs of the people arise. This is the perception at this point. Let us see and watch what he wants to do and so be it and let us see what happens. I think you should appreciate that the government has actually done it.

On another question as to what will be the midway for resolving this issue, Smt. Chowdhary said we pray for his good health during his fast days and it would be better if an undertaking is taken from his side to take care of his health. They should take guarantee of his health. Let us see what happens after fifteen days of his fast.

To a question why Anna was called in the Standing committee and heard for so long, Smt. Chowdhary said there is no pressure and we had been trying to find a solution for which reason he was called in the Standing committee. To the extent possible, we have accepted his demands. The Lokpal Bill has been presented before the Parliament and the Standing Committee is studying the same. They will give their recommendations to the Parliament and then Parliament will take a view on the same. He can put his view points before the Parliament. Where is the difference between the Jan Lokpal Bill and the Lokpal Bill? The said Bill will be debated in both Houses of parliament. The elected representatives of the India will place their view points on the Bill. This is the democratic principle and our country has progressed keeping these traditions of the parliament high. On the same very basis, we are trying to move forward in that direction. That is the democracy that it will be debated in parliament.

Smt. Chowdhary further said what is wrong in the government saying we have brought it before the parliament. We are discussing it. We will go to the Standing committee. You can discuss it. This is the recognized parliamentary democratic process. What is wrong in it?

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party that there are some outside forces that are supporting this ‘andolan’ as commented by Shri Rashid Alvi and also the US has already denied it, Smt. Chowdhary said that ends the matter. Why are we commenting on that? I can’t speak with authority on any foreign hand. I think it is not fair that he is not here to defend himself and I do not want to speak on his behalf.

On a further question as to what Mr. Rashid Alvi has said yesterday, was that the party line or his personal views and whether the party is retracting or endorsing his comments, Smt. Chowdhary said I think what he meant was that when we are in a situation like this, we are open to criticism from other people or countries also. There is nothing to endorse or retract. Hon’ble Prime Minister has answered and everybody has answered. That is yesterday’s news.

She further said that to a large extent, it is the party view point and to some extent it is human error but I am not apologizing for Shri Rashid Alivi. He is fellow colleague of mine. I am nobody to comment on him. Media should ask him this question.

To a question as to the flip flop attitude of the Congress party and whether it can be attributed to the absence of the Congress President from the scene, Smt. Chowdhary said there is no doubt we are missing her terribly and we wish her speedy recovery and she will be back in action very soon and till then we are trying to do our best.

To a question as to the present situation with regard to Anna’s fast, Smt. Chowdhary said he is going to continue his fast and you will see him at Ramlila grounds and he wishes to continue for 15 days or a month or whatever and we wish him luck.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party on the statement of the BJP that wrong decision has been taken in the case of Anna Hazare and whether does the party subscribe to Mr. Anil Shastri’s views that this should not have been done, Smt. Chowdhary said that is the perception and sensibility that most people have voiced but we must try to understand what happened to the police. They are under tremendous pressure and they have been under pressure for a long time. The entire country has been on red alert. We should use our commonsense that there is a red alert before and after Independence Day. It is right that police could not express themselves as to why they took this step but it is really unfair to say much on it.

She further said I do not know and I have not spoken to Mr. Anil Shastri himself. I will check up.
 

(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC