Press Briefing Wednesday, 22nd June 2011

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.

On the spate of questions on the allegation of Shri Pranab Mukherjee about bugging in North Block office and the reaction of the Congress party over the statement of the BJP on such allegations, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said I think the BJP party is in grave danger of complete deterioration, after not just their defeat in the Lok Sabha polls but in the recently concluded assembly elections also where they won only five sets and now there is a total internal rebellion among their senior leaders and is in such a state of desperation that they are clutching straws to make allegations against the government. The bugging refers to a news paper report in the Indian Express about which Hon’ble Finance Minister has already spoken. The Hon’ble Finance Minister has said that the IB has looked into it and there is nothing in it and today he has called all other allegations, which were made in this regard, as bogus. I would like to reiterate what the Hon’ble Finance Minister said and it seems these charges as being completely an attempt by the BJP to divert attention from their own internal deterioration and from their internal rebellion within their own ranks. The Bhartiya Janata Party should try to raise constructive issues and refrain from trying to divert the attention of the people.

To a further question whether there was any rift between the Finance Minister and the Home Minister; Smt. Natarajan said she repeats what Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said. All the details the questioner is giving are totally unsubstantiated reports which have appeared in the media upon which she cannot comment. She can only repeat what the Hon’ble Finance Minister has said whether what was found was some unidentified substance or whether it was chewing gum. As far as she knows nobody has substantiated this report. The person, who is supposed to have written the letter, has explained the situation. It may not be fair for her to comment any further upon that.

To another question over the statement of Shri Subramaniam of Janata Party that this was done at the instance of Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Smt. Natarajan said Shri Subramaniam should not be worried.

On a question whether there should be a comprehensive enquiry to find out the whole truth, Smt. Natarajan said I believe the enquiry has already been conducted which the Hon’ble Finance Minister has pointed out. The enquiry has established that there was nothing. Smt. Natarajan further added that all this is on the basis of the story which has appeared in the media. I do not know what the correct facts are.

To another question on all party meeting on Women’s Reservation Bill convened by the Lok Sabha Speaker, Smt. Natarajan said, as stated earlier, we will try to work out consensus on the issue and hope this Bill is presented before the parliament in the coming monsoon session.

On the question of reaction of the Congress party on DMK supporting that Prime Minister should be included in the ambit of Lokpal Bill, Smt. Natarajan said I saw that newspaper report. As far as the stand of the Congress party is concerned, that will be known during the time the Bill comes up in the parliament for debate when the government presents the bill. They are entitled to have their views. She is not aware what happened in that meeting. People are entitled to their views. We will give our views when the government comes forward with the draft bill.

To a question whether Shri Gopinath Munde is joining the Congress party, Smt. Natarajan said that this question should better be directed to the General Secretary In-charge of Maharashtra affairs. I am not aware of the meeting and its details.

To another question over the reaction of the Congress party on the statement of Ms. Mamata Banerjee that Railway portfolio should be retained with the TMC, Smt. Natarajan said that the distribution and allocation of portfolios is entirely the prerogative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and she does not have any authorization on this. 
 

(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC