Press Briefing
Friday, 4th November 2011
Shri Abhishek
Singhvi addressed the media today.
On the question of the reaction of the Congress
party over the price hike in petrol prices and
whether this governments still feels that it is
for the ‘aam-aadmi’, Shri Singhvi said the
Congress party is very concerned about the price
rise and calls upon the government and hopes and
trusts that the government will look into this
matter most seriously not only to do everything
in its power to control to diminish this
increase but also consider other ways and means
of giving relief to the needy. The Congress
party sincerely believes that such healing touch
and such ameliorating measures are required and
we are confident that the government will
urgently look into it and do the needful.
To another related question as to whether there
is any effect of the Congress party’s stand in
the matter of giving relief to the common man,
Shri Singhvi said the Congress party’s stand has
in the past been given great weight and we have
been taken seriously and wherever possible,
appropriate steps have been taken. You are
forgetting that there are a large number of
other items where prices have not been increased
for many months like diesel, kerosene and LPG.
Wherever possible, steps have been taken to
control the prices.
On the reaction of the Congress party over with
regard to the threat of TMC’s Ms. Mamata
Banerjee on pulling out of the government over
the price hike issue, Shri Singhvi said that I
am not commenting on her stand. For her views of
words and her stand, you have to ask her. I am
telling you that every element of coalition
naturally will be heard with understanding,
sensitivity and compassion and it is in that
light that whatever steps are to be taken, will
be taken.
On the reaction of the Congress party over the
reported comments of Ms. Mamata Banerjee that
TMC is not dependent on the Congress party for
survival in West Bengal, Shri Singhvi said I
read her and other allies’ comments as genuine
concern and certainly not as divisive or
disruptive attempts in the manner you are
projecting. Naturally these concerns will be met
only after detailed consultation, interaction
and deliberations takes place. You have to be
patient for it. When the Congress party itself
has made its position clear from this podium,
what else remains there?
To a further question whether there is any
possibility to restore administrative price
mechanism in view of the frequent hike in petrol
price, Shri Singhvi said I am not going into any
specifics because we believe that we are not
here to comment on the discretion of the
government in any way as we are concerned with
the result whichever means the government thinks
most appropriate and we are certainly not
prescribing or demanding means ‘a’, ‘b’ or ‘c’.
Whichever means has the desired effect would be
highly desirable but we leave it to the
discretion and to the good judgment and wisdom
of the government to take those steps.
On another question on the statement of the BJP
in relation to petrol price hike that people
should protest by not paying tax, Shri Singhvi
said the BJP has only shown its disruptive and
anarchical nature at moments of delicacy. They
deliberately want to play games. They want to
add fuel to the fire and they never had any
constructive suggestion. The classic example of
a completely negative suggestion is what you
have just said.
To another question on Team Anna’s stand on
draft Lokpal Bill, Shri Singhvi said I see no
reason to comment on every word, every comment -
casual or stray. You have had just less than 24
hours ago, a three hour comprehensive detailed
intensive discussion, and exchange of views. You
have another over three hour intense session of
question answer. I can only tell you that we
have had a very constructive, focused and also
very innovative exchanges. Disagreement is
certainly not necessarily bad and I have no
reason to suppose that if we keep on making
comments every one day or the other, it is not
going to help us in any manner.
(Tom Vadakkan)
Secretary, AICC
