Press
Briefing Monday, 22nd November 2010
Smt.
Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.
Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that for several days now
we have been watching the spectacle of the politically
immoral behavior of the Chief Minister of Karnataka, who
after accepting culpability in serious wrongdoing
regarding de-notification of land and illegally
allotting land in prime areas of Bangalore to his own
family members, refusing to accept responsibility for
his corrupt and illegal acts. The Central BJP is also
singularly unable or unwilling to take responsibility
for these actions of the Chief Minister of Karnataka. It
is clear that the Central Leadership of the BJP is a
willing accomplice and complicit in all the actions of
the Chief Minister of Karnataka. If not, the Central
Leadership of BJP should come clean on this issue and
issue a statement regarding its stand on the entire
matter of the resignation of the Chief Minister of
Karnataka. We would also like to condemn the blatant
double standards of the BJP which choose to remain
silent on the issue of the Karnataka Chief Minister but
continue to paralyze and obstruct the functioning of
Parliament, thereby causing tremendous loss to the
exchequer and also losing the confidence of the people.
We, therefore, call upon the BJP at the National level
to come clean regarding their stand on the illegal and
corrupt practices of the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
On the question of the reaction of the Congress party on
Supreme Court’s comments on the CVC, Smt. Natarajan said
it is not for the Congress party to respond. I am sure
the Law Ministry and the appropriate agencies in
Government who are dealing with the issue, will show
clarity in the matter.
On the question of Mr. Yedyurappa commenting that unless
his high command takes action against Reddy brothers, he
will not resign, Smt. Natarajan said she would like to
reiterate that if the Central Leadership of the BJP does
not come clean or take action and enforce discipline
upon its own Chief Minister, the obvious inference is
that the BJP at the national level is a willing
accomplice to the corrupt practices of the Chief
Minister of Karnataka.
On a question on the views of the Congress party on some
of very interesting and sensational tapes which are in
the public domain in the Supreme Court that a very
senior journalist has been a part of the agenda and the
names of some senior leaders of the Congress party are
doing the rounds, Smt. Natarajan said she would like to
categorically state that she is not aware of the
authenticity of the tapes and, therefore, unable to make
any observation regarding those tapes. She further said
that let the court adjudicate on the matter.
On another question whether the Congress party agrees
with the demand of JPC of the opposition, Smt. Natarajan
said that the Congress party is very clear that the
Public Accounts Committee will be devalued if it is
suggested that it is not capable of looking at this
matter. The Hon’ble Finance Minister who is talking to
the opposition has also made a further suggestion to
involve a multi- disciplinary enquiry along with the
Public Accounts Committee and in view of those offers,
at this point of time, we feel; that the matter should
be discussed in Parliament. The Public Accounts
Committee which is seized of the matter should go into
it in great detail and above all Parliament should not
be obstructed and should continue to discuss the matter
in great detail so that the stand of all the political
parties and all views are reflected in Parliament.
On a further question if the demand of the JPC is
negotiable, Smt. Natarjan further said that it is not
for the Congress party, it is for the Government to talk
to the opposition. Our stand is that the PAC should go
into it. She further said that she cannot actually usurp
the role of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. She
speaks for the Congress party. Our view is that the PAC
should go into the report submitted by CAG and
thereafter the matter should be discussed in Parliament.
On another question over the reaction of the Congress
party on the programme telecast by Sakshi TV, Smt.
Natarajan said that on this particular issue, Mr.
Verappa Moily, who is Incharge of affairs of the
Congress party in Andhra Pradesh, will be making any
further statement on the issue. He has, as the Incharge
of Andhra Pradesh, called for a report. So, therefore,
further clarifications will be given by Mr. Moily and
any view on this will be expressed by him.
On the question of Dr. Subramaniam Swamy blaming the
Union Law Minister for misleading and misguiding the
Prime Minister of India on the issue of telecom, Smt.
Natarjan said that Dr. Swamy has raised many issues
before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Those issues are being
answered at various levels by Law officers of the
Government of India and our general comment in this
regard is that the Government has taken all steps to
ensure highest level of accountability in this matter
and all other issues within this matter remain subjudice
and we will comment on it after the court has disposed
the matter. Smt. Natarajan further said that right from
the beginning we have said that the Prime Minister has
displayed the highest level of accountability in this
matter. We have also explained it in great length that
Dr. Swamy, had he wished, could have filed a private
complaint.
On the question that despite resistance by Ms. Sushma
Swaraj, the CVC was appointed and the observation of the
Hon’ble Supreme Court on this issue, Smt. Natarajan said
that the Government will suitably respond. They have
been given two weeks’ time by the Court. The Congress
party will come back with its views after the Government
has responded. She further added that we are waiting for
the matter to be adjudicated by the Court. The court
will take a view on it.
On the question whether any legal action is likely to be
taken against Dr. Swamy, Smt. Natarjan said that she
does not understand if there is any need to take any
legal action. He is welcome to go to the Court of law
and raise whatever issue. At this point of time, there
is no issue of the need to take any action.
Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC
