Press Briefing Friday, 19 June 2009

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed addressed the media today.


Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that the Congress party wishes to congratulate Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and welcomes his bold and clear cut statement during the talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in Russia where he reiterated that the people of India have empowered him with a mandate to hold talks and discussions on how the territory of Pakistan should not be used for terrorist activities against India.

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed further expressed great appreciation for the way in which the Prime Minister had conveyed his message in clear and straightforward terms at the highest level which not only consolidated India’s stand in Pakistan but all over the world.

To a question alleging that the manner in which Shri Rahul Gandhi’s birthday was celebrated was on similar lines as adopted by the Sangh and BJP, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that it was not correct to say that. He added that this exercise was being carried out to spread harmony amongst all sections of the society and was purely a decision of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee.

To a question on whether there will be any alliance with the RJD and LJP in the next Bihar Assembly elections, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that it depended on the decision of the Congress Working Committee. He added that the RJD and the LJP should apologize to the people of India for taking the lead in breaking a secular alliance. Dr. Shakeel Ahmed further said that the recommendations of the Pradesh Congress Committee would also be taken in view before the top leaders of the Congress Party take a final call.

To a question on what the reaction of the Congress party was over the statement of some of its leaders in Maharashtra that the party should fight the next assembly elections alone, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that he has not come across any such statement recently. He said that any previous utterances in this regard were only reflective of personal opinions. He reiterated that the Congress party has an alliance in Maharasthra and at the centre with the NCP.

To a question on the Congress party’s revival plan in Bihar, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that he would not be in a position to discuss any such plan in front of the media. He added that the Congress party has a clear cut objective before themselves keeping in mind the assembly elections in 2010 and the bye-elections in Bihar.

To a question on the return of the ‘Guj COCA’ bill by the Cabinet, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said this was a decision taken by the Government of India. He said that the Congress party while going in for 2004 general elections had assured the people of this country through their manifesto to get rid of POTA and the same was removed with the consent of the electorate. Dr. Shakeel Ahmed further added that if some State sends any Act which is more stringent than POTA then naturally it would not be appropriate and acceptable. He however added that Government of India and Government officials would be in a better position to explain the situation.





(Tom Vadakkan)

Secretary, AICC