Press Briefing Friday, 30 October 2009

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.


Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that tomorrow will mark the 25th memorial commemoration day of the assassination of one of India’s most distinguished daughters and citizens former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. Citizens all over the nation will remember her, her indomitable courage, her unswerving dedication to the cause of the underprivileged and her tremendous contribution as Prime Minister and the leader of the Congress Party to ensuring social justice, greater development, greater national integration and the tremendous love she enjoyed from all sections of the people from every part of the country. Tomorrow on the 25th anniversary of her assassination, the Indian National Congress rededicates itself to her vision, her ideals and her commitment to the welfare of the disadvantaged citizens of this country.

On the question of one of the Ministers of Andhra Pradesh cabinet handing her resignation directly to the Governor to put pressure on the Congress party to change the Chief Minister, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said it was her personal decision and even according to her it was for personal reasons and we would like to leave the matter over there. Smt. Natarajan further said all those are extraneous issues. Whatever decision she took regarding the resignation was her personal decision and the Congress does not have anything further to comment. She further added that there is no need to comment any further on this issue except to say that this was her personal reason.

On the question whether the Congress would welcome and end the exile of MF Hussain, Smt. Natarajan said that there is no bar for Mr. Hussain coming to the country. He is a very well known famous artist and we would certainly welcome Mr. Hussain’s return to the country. Smt. Natarajan further said that the question of protecting Mr. Hussain will always lie on the respective State Government. His person and his property will always be given due consideration and care by the respective Government.

On the question of Mohan Bhagwat of RSS making a statement on Madarsas today and does the Congress party endorse such views, Smt. Natarajan said that everybody knows the origin of the views. The Congress party is obviously not in agreement with his views and we do not endorse such views. It shows clearly the attitude and mind frame and the intention of the person making it and the Congress party certainly does not support, subscribe or will in any way encourage such divisive views.

On the question that there is trouble in the ruling BJP in Karnataka because of the on-going tussle between Yediyurappa and Reddy brothers and whether in case of any eventuality of Reddy brothers parting ways with the BJP, will the Congress party be willing to go ahead and support them, Smt. Natarajan said that that is totally in the realm of conjecture. The BJP is unfortunately house divided. The BJP is in the throes of identity crisis and it will not be kind on the part of the Congress party to comment upon the final throes of the end of the BJP and we would only like to add that the country watches it in dismay that the leading opposition party is totally disintegrating.

On the question of peace talks with Pakistan as stated by Prime Minister, Smt. Natarajan said that it is absolutely the same position as enunciated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. She thinks the Hon’ble Prime Minister has said the same thing that unless Pakistan dismantles the terror infrastructure and shows readiness to stop cross border terrorism, it would be difficult to create conditions among the people of India to extend the hand of friendship to Pakistan. That is exactly what he said and our views clearly and obviously are the same as that of our Hon’ble Prime Minister.




(Tom Vadakkan)

Secretary, AICC