Press Briefing Friday, 12 June 2009

Shri Manish Tewari addressed the media today.


Shri Manish Tewari said that he was thankful to the media for the love and affection shown by them and also the cooperation extended during the last 1/1-2 years and this is the first time after the Lok Sabha election, we are meeting each other. It has now been 27 days of the constitution of the 15th Lok Sabha and 3 days of the completion of the first session.

Shri Tewari said that the mandate of the 15th Lok Sabha has been based on the principles set out in the preamble of the Constitution of India and this mandate has further strengthened the faith in such principles. Shri Tewari said that with the policies initiated by the Congress led UPA Government during 2004 to 2009; the faith of the people of the country in sovereignty, secularism, socialism and democracy has deepened. It is not possible to explain each and every point since the audience is very well politically experienced and further said that if the mandate is to be described, it can be described in a couple of words i.e. ‘rejuvenated continuity’. The people of the country have wholeheartedly supported the policies initiated during the last 5 years by the Congress-led UPA Government and has given the Congress party another chance to serve the country.

Shri Tewari further added that the policies and programmes explained by the Government in the first session of 15th Lok Sabha through the President’s address will be initiated and further decide the direction of the country in the next five years. The Government has also prioritized the policies to be taken up in the first 100 days. Shri Tewari said that this is for the first time that any Government has placed before the country the agenda for the first 100 days. Shri Tewari further added that the Prime Minister and even the Leader of the opposition have said that we have been provided with an opportunity where we can make 21st century as ‘India’s century’. This is the gist of the deliberations of the first session of the 15th Lok Sabha.

Shri Tewari said that if we are to give a real shape to this, it is necessary that in the coming 5 years in and outside the Parliament, one should rise above politics in the national interest to arrive at a consensus. The Congress party expects that the opposition will extend the same cooperation as assured by them during the first session of the 15th Lok Sabha since the opposition had assured of all help and cooperation in the conduct of the 15th Lok Sabha and will set an example that there would not be any walk outs like 14th Lok Sabha or earlier Lok Sabha where there have been more confrontations than cooperation. We expect that they will come true to their expectations and will work for the progress of the country.

To a question of certain senior leaders being left out of the formation of Government, are there any plans of their rehabilitation either in the organization or Raj Bhavans or elsewhere, Shri Tewari said that insofar as appointments are concerned either through Government or through the organization or to the Government oriented positions, we do not characterize it as rehabilitation. It was solely within the prerogative of the UPA Chairperson and the Prime Minister to decide on various appointments which have to be made or need to be made. It is best that it should be left to them. They are ultimately the final decision makers. As and when appropriate, decisions will be taken.

To a question over Congress’ reaction over the violent situation in West Bengal, Shri Tewari said that he was not really updated about the final details of this and would definitely talk to the General Secretary concerned who looks after West Bengal and will come back to you on this.

To a further question over the situation in J&K, Shri Tewari said that as far as internal security of the country is concerned, all decisions concerning the internal security of the country are taken by the Home Minister. As far as J&K is concerned, there is a unified command in J&K because for the last 19 years the situation is somewhat different there. It would be appropriate that in J&K what steps are to be taken will be decided by the Home Minister and all such specialists dealing with the internal security of the country and will be left to them to take a decision. Any steps taken in J&K will be taken keeping in view the internal security of the country. There is a complete establishment which deals with such situations keeping in view the background prevailing in the Western Asia.

To a further question over the safety of Indian students in Australia, Shri Tewari said that the Congress party has stressed upon the Government both inside and outside Parliament that every possible step needs to be taken to see that the life, liberty and property of Indian citizens who are living in Australia, people of Indian origin who are living in Australia and Indian students are protected. Our Prime Minister took it up with Prime Minister of Australia who assured him that the rule of law would be enforced strongly to ensure that these attacks secede immediately and we do expect and hope that the Government of Australia will live up to its commitment and an atmosphere of harmony where Indians can live in an atmosphere free of fear is created once again in Australia.

To the question of whether there is any hope of TMC and NCP coming back to Congress party, Shri Tewari said that the Congress has been running a Government with the NCP for the last 10 years in Maharashtra, they have been our partners in governance for 5 years in Delhi and that is where the situation stands. Insofar as Trinamool Congress is concerned, we had a seat sharing which, according to me, can also be characterized as an alliance with TMC. TMC is our partner at the centre and that is where the situation stands.

To the question whether the Governor of Kerala will survive in view of the partisan decision to favour the Congress by giving sanction for the prosecution of Vijayan, Shri Tewari said that the Chief Minister of Kerala says that the Governor has done its constitutional duty. The CPM leadership which is criticizing the Government or the Governor either in Kerala or in West Bengal, they need to first internally consult and harmonize their position. You cannot have the Chief Minister saying that the Governor has done the correct constitutional thing which he has done and some of the other people in the Left parties going on a complete candid.




(Tom Vadakkan)

Secretary, AICC