Press Briefing
Thursday, 24th November 2011
Shri Manish
Tewari addressed the media today.
Shri Manish Tewari said today is the third day
of parliament having transacted no work. The
government, in fact, as you are aware, was
prepared or in fact walked the extra mile and
was willing to debate either of the issues
whether it was inflation or it was the
adjournment motion over black money but
unfortunately there seems to be contradictions
within the opposition with regard to the
prioritization of issues. In the same vein, I
would also like to stress that there is a
difference between protest and disruption.
Everybody has the right to protest but nobody
has a monopoly over disruption. This cuts on all
sides as it brings into question the legitimacy
of parliament as an institution. At a point in
time when there are serious economic decisions
to be taken, there has to be the application of
collective wisdom by parliament and therefore,
we would like once again to appeal to everybody,
all political parties and to all individuals
that they need to rise above whatever
differences we may have and allow the parliament
to function in a normal manner. I would also
like to take this opportunity to condemn the
assault on the Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad
Pawar. It is indeed unfortunate that certain
people who are publicity seekers seem to have
made profession out of trying to intimidate the
public figures when they are engaged in the
legitimate business of trying to engage with
people at large. We do hope that the law
enforcement authorities would take the strongest
action against such individuals so that this
trend is not only discouraged and reversed but
this trend is finally put to rest once for all.
On the question of the reaction of the Congress
party over the statement of Ms. Sushma Swaraj
that the Telengana impasse has been persistent
because of the poor floor management of the
Congress party, Shri Manish Tewari said that the
so-called statement of leader of the opposition
in Lok Sabha is not correct. Today the house
witnessed the differences within the opposition.
It was decided that there would be discussion on
adjournment motion on black money and couple of
political parties had raised objections
especially the Left parties who were of the
opinion that there should be discussion on price
rise. It is correct to say that there is some
tension in the minds of the Members on Telengana
issue and efforts are on to make them understand
that everybody is concerned about Telengana and
find a solution of the same. Besides, there are
other important issues before the parliament
which need to be discussed on the floor of House
and allow it to function smoothly.
In this connection, Shri Manish Tewari further
said we accept such motions brought by the
opposition. As far as price rise is concerned,
this is not the first session where there is a
discussion on price rise. Right from the
inception of the Lok Sabha the government has
been discussing the issue of price rise in
almost every session. The government has placed
in public domain the initiatives/steps taken to
arrest the price rise. The rising prices are not
going to be checked by voting alone and there
need be discussion on the issue because everyone
is concerned about it. Consensus needs to be
arrived at. Central government alone cannot be
held responsible for this; the state governments
are equally responsible to take initiatives to
check the rising prices. It is not a debate
between Centre vs. State.
On the question of making the stand of the
Congress party clear on the FDI in multi-brands,
Shri Tewari said at times when you are looking
for a linear response to the issues, it is
obvious that people would like to err on the
side of caution and the reason for that is the
matter is up for discussion in the cabinet. We
are still not clear as to what is going to be
the final shape of that decision. FDI in retail,
its linkages to infrastructure creation in the
back-end to what extent and under what
circumstances and conditions is the permission
finally going to be granted. Once all these
facts are in the public domain, then we would be
in a better position to really be able to
articulate or crystallize the position on it.
So, therefore, let us wait for the government to
arrive at a certain position. Once they arrive
at a position, once it is clear as to what are
the attendant conditionalities, if any, we would
definitely come back to you with response.
On the question of reaction of the Congress
party on the statement of Shri Dinesh Trivedi of
TMC in all party meeting, Shri Tewari said that
most of the alliance partners are in the
government also and every alliance partner gets
a chance to put his view points when an issue is
discussed in the cabinet. I am not aware if Shri
Dinesh Trivedi has said something. It has to be
seen under what context Shri Trivedi has issued
such statement. After the same is known, then
only we can say something on his statement.
To another question on the blockade created by
the workers of NCP in Maharashtra because of the
assault on Shri Sharad Pawar and the statement
of Shri Anna Hazare on assault, Shri Tewari said
as I earlier said that the attack on Shri Sharad
Pawar is extremely unfortunate and we would like
to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.
Shri Tewari said if I heard it correctly, Shri
Pawar also brushed it off and I think that is
the spirit in which the cadre of the NCP should
really be taking it. This is a bunch of
publicity seeking individuals who feel that this
is possibly the best way to try and get their
mug in to newspapers and TV channels. So,
therefore, they need to be ignored and why to
sanctify or glorify them with reaction. Insofar
as your second question is concerned, I think
the answer is contained in your question itself.
There is nothing Gandhian about violence. It is
a contradiction in terms. If you are Gandhian,
then I think the first premise of being a
Gandhian is your commitment to non-violence.
To another question on the statement of Shri
Yashwant Sinha that there will be violence
because of the price rise, Shri Tewari said the
statement from the BJP is completely
condemnable. If any responsible political party
or being called a political party, they make
their intentions clear by issuing such
statements. I do not want to go into details of
any co-relation of this statement with today’s
assault because this is the job of the
investigating agencies. Issuance of any such
statement by any responsible political
individual is neither good for the democracy nor
for the traditions of the democracy.
On tweeting of Ms. Kiran Bedi on Lokpal bill
that if it is not passed in this session, people
will be on streets, Shri Tewari said instead of
government people need to take cognizance of
that. Those who profess to be Gandhian, if their
response to such a shameful incident is to
condone and extent it by saying that if ‘X’ is
not done then it would lead to more violence,
are you going to put gun on to the head of the
temple of democracy. After all, parliament is
seized of the matter. The Standing Committee is
applying itself to it. The Chairperson of the
Standing Committee had said that we would try
and expedite but there are no time limits. So,
therefore, by setting timelines, extrapolating
and justifying the violence incident, it brings
into question your entire belief in what you
purportedly claim to be that you are follower of
Gandhi. I think more than the government, it is
for the people to apply themselves to this
question.
(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC
