Press Briefing Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.
Shri Singhvi said that he has no doubt that as
we enter into the second session of Parliament
which is significantly new after the general
elections, we will continue to try to uphold the
highest traditions of parliamentary democracy.
The highest traditions of constructive albeit
vigorous critical even denouncing debate. Nobody
in the least is opposing or scared or against
debate on any issue in any form. It should not
lead to disruptive practices, delays; loss of
time, walk-outs, boycotts and so on and so
forth. We are aware and the nation is aware that
some of our friends in the opposition are going
through troubled times. These are their moments
of crisis. These are their moments where
internal tsunami may lead them to try to deflect
the attention of the nation by resorting to
negative, disruptive non-productive tactics in
and out of parliament. That would be most
unfortunate and extremely regrettable. We have
set a recent milestone even purely in terms of
quantity and number of Acts and Bills passed and
number of discussions held in June 2009 session.
Parliament, of course, is not only about
quantity, it is very much about quality of
debate as well. But on both fronts, the new
approach, which we have seen in the recent
session, must be made into the rule of the
parliamentary proceedings and disruption should
slowly become a rare aberration. We hope and
trust that it is this spirit which will animate
all parties especially opposition and with that
he has no doubt that the country will not only
endorse and support but most importantly we will
be giving meaning to both the words. We would
not only be a proud democracy but we are and
should be parliamentary democracy. Those are not
one but two words.
On the question of how serious the Congress
party is about Women’s Reservation Bill, Shri
Singhvi said with all humility that there is no
party which has thought of or has been more
serious about this bill. He says with all
emphasis at his command that our intentions are
clear, our objective is clear and our full vigor
support is clear. Equally he cannot stand
guarantee for what happens inside Parliament.
Shri Singhvi further said that he does not see
any reason why constructive reasonable politics
should not mean the definite passage of this
Bill in this session. That is our unequivocal
commitment and ultimately that commitment has to
come from every corner of the House. We still do
not run a majority Government.
On the question how does the Congress party see
the joint statement of US and China, Shri
Singhvi said that it has absolutely no impact of
the slightest change on not only India’s stand,
India’s foreign policy and India’s thinking? He
also believes that perhaps too much is being
read. We believe that there is absolutely no
change in US or China’s policy towards us.
Perhaps in the course of a speech or a general
statement, obviously if what is intended is
being said, if what is suggested in the press is
intended, then obviously it would be
objectionable. But we have no material and no
basis to say. Shri Singhvi suggested the media
not to react hastily. The Indo US relations are
based on much surer and more solid foundation
than an interpretation of a casual remark in a
speech and he agrees with the media that if it
is so, we must wait and if this is carried
forward in any meaningful way against the
established Indo-US stand that is the time to
react.
On the question whether India is more vulnerable
vis-à-vis China, Shri Singhvi said that if media
thinks that a proud solid powerful democracy
like India, you can apply adjective ‘vulnerable’
on remarks reported with the interpretation of
the Press, then he thinks the media is doing
less than full justice to India, you are perhaps
insulting the very foundation of a very strong
powerful India but more than that of a very
strong powerful Indo-US relation bedrock.
On the question of BJP taking up the issue of
price rise and Madhu Koda case, Shri Singhvi
said that the entire burden of his opening
remarks was to emphasize that we welcome
discussion on all topics. The point is that BJP
has a track record between 2004 and 2009 of
disruptions, loss of time, walk-outs and
boycotts. It is for that reason that he was
denouncing and criticizing. In June this year,
the media had witnessed the example of
constructive, decision making decisive quick
Parliament and that happens and can happen only
when the opposition does not indulge in
disruption. It is all very well to say that
Parliament can run only when the party in power
runs it. Well the party in power does not want
to run it unilaterally; it does not have to pass
17 bills in 17 minutes.
On the question of sugar cane prices and the MSP
likely to be raised by the BJP and the RJD in
the current session of parliament, Shri Singhvi
said that one has to appreciate the essence and
the spirit of democracy to the extent that
assembly demonstration is permitted either
within or around Parliament, nobody can have
objection to the democratic peaceful assertions
of democratic rights. But the important point is
that it must not be allowed to snow-ball into a
situation where the content of parliamentary
discussion inside the house is obstructed or
diluted. That is the bottom line.
(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC
