Press Briefing Tuesday, 23rd August 2011

Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.


Shri Abhishek Singhvi said the Congress party has always stood for consensus and collegiality as also for the parliamentary process upholding constitutional precept and constitutional practice. We do hope and trust that flexibility and restrain – these are two catchwords and key words – will be practiced by all stake holders to arrive at a constructive solution in the interest of the nation. We do sincerely believe that no problem is insoluble, no obstacle insurmountable, no destination unreachable and no object unachievable so long as the intent is bonafide and genuine. Needless to add that all of us share or at least should share something which is axiomatic namely the object of eradication of the scourge of corruption. So there can be no two views about that destination as most of our journeys or destinations may differ and we also believe for achieving that object we all have to try to rise above the narrower aspects of the debate and to transcend it in the interest of the nation.

To a question as to how to break the logjam, Shri Singhvi said all stakeholders are involved to evolve solution to the current situation. I do not need to say that we should find ways to find a solution to the problem without disturbing the constitutional process. This is a challenge before all of us.

Shri Singhvi further said there are different processes and when these are on- going, it would not be fair to comment anything because it may harm the efforts to achieve the object. When we are aware of different processes, we should also exercise restraint and flexibility. It is easy to exploit the situation. Therefore, we should be self-disciplined. e furtherShri Singhvi said we are concerned about finding a solution and we are keeping a close watch on the situation on the issue.

On the question of the flexibility and also the parameters and whether it has been agreed to put the PM under the ambit of Lokpal Bill, Shri Singhvi said all I can say is that no such decision has been taken as put in by the questioner. That is your figment of imagination. Please don’t jump to conclusions. As far as the larger issue is concerned, I think it is important not to prejudge the issues at a press conference.

To another question that this government is lurching from one problem to another and from one crisis to the other, Shi Singhvi said I don’t agree with your sentiments. Naturally the issues arise and issues do get magnified in 24x7 media days but issues have to be dealt with. This government or the Congress-led UPA does not wish away issues. They are issues frequently created not by our making but by external forces and also sometimes beyond our control. But equally you have found despite the many issues which arise progressive solutions or progressively dealing with them to the best extent possible.

On the question of reaction of the Congress party over PM taking such a long time even when there is no interference from 10 Janpath, Shri Singhvi said as to the first part of the question who told you, when and where and as far as the second part of the question is concerned, we do sourly miss Hon’ble Congress President’s absence but issues have to be dealt even in her absence. All kind of communications at all levels do get done, decisions do get taken to the best of the ability which does not detract from the fact that we are always looking forward to her guidance and also we expect to have it in the very near future.

To another question on young MPs belonging to the Congress party associating themselves with Anna Hazare’s movement, Shri Singhvi said let me make it clear once for all that these things which you describe as descendary views, it must be clarified that they are not so. What you have heard are diverse views converging on the basic principle that the anti-corruption campaign must receive primacy, that is the scourge which afflicts India and that humungous efforts should be made to eliminate it. Now different MPs in a large Indian democratic party do have the freedom of expressing their views frankly and openly which I think underlines the freedom of speech and expression in our party but none of them have expressed anything in terms of difference on basic principle. The basic principle has not led to any dissension.

Shri Singhvi further said I had made it very clear that the system of parliamentary committees is the backbone and the foundation of parliamentary system. We are in fact proud that despite the differences and the static view sometimes we see in the houses of parliament, same very parliamentarians rise above their difference and collectively transcend them to take a concrete fruitful decision behind closed door in confidence in such committees. So all I had said was that all stakeholders should give such committees a fair balanced chance and I have no doubt that collectively these committees may well surprise all cynics and skeptics. Shri Singhvi further said that anything which seem to be perfunctory, non application of mind, hasty, not deliberated upon over night will be in fact highly criticized and rightly liable to be criticized because this is a matter of moment which must get its due consideration both in terms of time and in terms of efforts.

Shri Singhvi also said we are not here in a frivolous exercise but equally we have said that as you know the practice is that the committees get a mandate of three months in the initial period. There are several committees which take 9-12 months. Certainly given the importance of the subject, the committee can, if they collectively think so, try to consider shorter time within their first mandate; I think this is unusually fast in the system of parliamentary committees.

On the question whether it would hobble the government if PM is put under the ambit of Lokpal Bill, Shri Singhvi said there are multiple view points. Truth is one but wise people see the same in different ways. So when I say on one issue, the view point is total exclusion of PM. The second view point is total inclusion of PM. The third point is partial inclusion and partial exclusion of PM subject to conditions. The fourth view point could be inclusion on deferred prosecution. Now the point is not that which the view point is? We must respect each of the four view points. We have to adopt one view point.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party over the statement of the Shri L.K. Advani demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister, Shri Singhvi said his statement shows that the BJP is not interested in the anti- corruption movement. It is not interested in the issue. It is not interested in the Lokpal Bill. It is not interested in institutional structure to fight corruption. It is interested to grab power. Its only agenda is to transform the status of a permanent Prime Minister-in-waiting who has no dream of ever becoming the actual Prime Minister. This is the basic object as far as the BJP is concerned. This exposes their opportunistic approach.

 

(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC