REPORT

AICC DIARY

01.07.2002 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Cabinet reshuffle has sent out three retrograde signals. First, it denotes more of demotion of Mr. Vajpayee than of promotion of Mr. L. K. Advani.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Cabinet Reshuffle heralds the total eclipse of the NDA and the total dominance of the BJP. It is no doubt in name a Government of the NDA, it is a Government of the BJP and by the BJP.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the third signal is the BJP getting back to its original Hindutva agenda.

03.07.2002 : Shri Motilal Vora, Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Motilal Vora said that the Congress President has appointed Shri Arun Kumar Singh Munna as President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect. A press release on the joining of the President of the BSP Delhi Pradesh was also distributed to the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the much-touted Cabinet reshuffle has turned out to be an anti-climax. Far from giving a facelift to the Cabinet, it has only given new wrinkles. It has exposed the chinks in the armour of both BJP and the NDA.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we are relieved to note that the Gaurav Rathyatra of Narinder Modi has been stopped in its tracks. We may recall that it was the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, who wrote a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to stop this Rathyatra, which had the potential of sparking off violence again in Gujarat.

05.07.2002 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we deplore the confrontational approach of Mr. L. K. Advani on the question of election to the office of Vice President of India. We have been all along keen on getting a consensus evolved for the post of the Vice President. Since Mr. Advani has ruled out consultations with the opposition we will be fielding our own candidate.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we severely condemn the vicious tactics of Mr. Narinder Modi to keep stoking the fires of communal divide in Gujarat until the Assembly elections. The latest example is the abrupt manner in which he got Madni Masjid in Ahmedabad demolished to a substantial degree.

Shri Anand Sharma congratulated Shri Urmilesh from the Hindustan Hindi for being conferred with the Rajendra Mathur Smriti Fellow Award.

10.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press. Shri Anand Sharma said that yesterday Shri KPS Gill gave a statement in the context of Gujarat. According to him there should be immediate elections in Gujarat so that the law and order situation improves and is normalized. This is not the first time that someone who is occupying an important office has chosen to make observations, which are not within the jurisdiction of the concerned individual. We have a constitutional authority that determines the date of the elections and that is the Election Commission of India.

Shri Anand Sharma said that we may point out that the BJP is brazenly glorifying the regime in Gujarat. The BJP leaders, day in and day out, after the much talked about revamp and reshuffle in the Party are coming out with statements not only defending but glorifying Shri Narinder Modi whose Government’s deliberate default and perceived complicity, inaction and subsequent callous attitude to inmates of relief camps has brought shame and disgrace to India.

12.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the some of the officers of the armed forces accused under the Tehelka scandal have been found guilty and action has been initiated against them. Some of them will be court-martialed. We find that this Government is making a statement that there are two sets of rules or different laws applicable to people named by the Tehelka scandal. One set of rules for the officers of the armed forces and another set of rules for the senior political leaders who are members of the NDA including the Defence Minister. The rule is that even if there is culpability of political leaders, the law of the land is not applicable, criminal cases will not be registered. When it comes to officers of the armed forces and other civil servants, they would be investigated and cases registered.

15.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Copies of the newly constituted PCC in Tripura were distributed to the press.

Shri Anand Sharma said that we condemn yesterday’s killing of innocent people near Jammu. We express our condolences to the bereaved families. It is a matter of concern that the perpetrators of the dastardly killing near Jammu have been able to carry out the killings of innocent civilians including women and children. The fact that they have struck in Jammu after Kaluchak is a matter of concern. It is the duty of a Government to ensure security of the lives of its citizens. The Congress Party has extended complete support to the Government to meet the threat of cross-border terrorism. The Government must answer as to what steps it had taken after the Kaluchak killings to provide security to the citizens.

16.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press. Copies of the Congress President’s speech at the General Body Meeting of the CPP were distributed to the press.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the debate on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is taking place in the House. It is being held in the background of the recent killing of innocent civilians near Jammu. The opposition has always given its support to the Government to tackle cross-border terrorism. It was expected that concrete steps would be taken by the Government to prevent further escalation of terrorism in the State. It seems that the Government has no policy to tackle cross-border terrorism.

On being asked about the Jammu and Kashmir PCC President demanding Governor’s Rule in the State, Shri Anand Sharma said that the PCC President has of course made the demand. The Congress Party will take a final view after consulting the PCC Chief and also the recommendations and assessments of the PCC. After that the Party can take a definite view.

17.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President has gone to Jammu this morning to visit Rajiv Nagar and other slum areas, where the massacre of innocent people took place. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has met the affected families. Her visit is also aimed at getting a first hand account of the situation as it prevails, the relief and other measures taken by the administration, and the manner in which the security concerns of the survivors and others in the area are being addressed.

Shri Anand Sharma said that a large part of the country is facing a terrible drought. Informed sources and experts have confirmed this. We would like to state that from the last three years, the drought situation has worsened and more areas of the country are becoming drought-affected. The drought of the year 2000 was considered one of the worst droughts of the last century.

Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States met the Prime Minister and demanded central assistance to tackle the situation. The matter was also raised in Parliament and a discussion was held.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, in anticipation of this problem and given the past experiences, had already written to Congress Chief Ministers to set up Task Forces to meet with any such contingency.

To a question on the BJP President’s statement terming the Congress President’s statement on the border situation as irresponsible, Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President does not need a certificate from the BJP on her credentials and responsible behaviour. As the leader of the largest opposition party, it is her paramount duty to articulate the national concerns about the policies of the Government, which is leading this country from one disaster to another.

18.07.2002 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that there were extensive consultation among like-minded opposition parties in regard to the choice for the post of Vice President there were consultations among the Congress party leaders and leaders of left parties, Samajwadi Party, RJD, NCP and other parties. There is a consensus on the candidature of Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, as candidate of the opposition for the post of Vice President.

The Congress President took the initiative and spoke to the leaders of the left parties including Shri Harikrishan Singh Surjit, Shri A B Bardhan, Shri Laloo Yadav, Shri Amar Singh and many others. The left parties have indicated their preference for Mr. Shinde.

To a question on the Shri Shankarsinh Vaghela, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that Shri Vaghela has renounced the philosophy of RSS. Philosophy is the essence of politics. Today he does not subscribe to the philosophy of RSS, he has made several speeches to this effect in the house apart from the speeches outside. What is the Philosophy of RSS except communalism, he denounces communalism in strongest possible terms in the context of the Gujarat debate.

19.07.2002 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we condemn the comment of Mr. Pramod Mahajan, which was made by him on one of the TV channels in the context of election of Dr. Kalam as President of India. He described Mr. Kalam as a satellite launched by him and so on. It is undoubtedly an affront to the highest constitutional office, that is, the President of India. Apart from that, it is also an affront to a widely respected personality like Dr. Kalam.

Asked for a reaction on the proposed dissolution of the Assembly and early elections in Gujarat, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we endorse the view point of the Election Commission of India. The Election Commission does not seem to think that the time and ground in Gujarat are ripe for early election.

22.07.2002 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde’s nomination has been filed by almost all the opposition parties, now there is going to be a real contest for the post of Vice-President of India. Our hopes that all opposition parties would respond favourably have been adequately fulfilled. We are particularly grateful to all the leaders who were themselves present there, Shri Somnath Chaterjee, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shri Deve Gowda, Shri Laloo Yadav and others.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that a delegation of the Congress Party made a representation to the Election Commission with regard to the situation arising from the dissolution of the House in Gujarat. The delegation also made representation in regard to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation comprised Dr. Manmohan Singh, Smt. Ambika Soni, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Shri Kapil Sibal, Shri Bhardwaj and Shri Oscar Fernandes. As for Jammu and Kashmir, our representation points out to the Election Commission that voters lists were full of grave irregularities and we also represented that the Kashmiri Pandits should be provided with voting right through electronic voting machines at their camps, be they in Jammu or in Delhi.

23.07.2002 : Shri Motilal Vora, Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Motilal Vora said that we are pleased to announce the joining of Shri Mohan Prakash who was General Secretary and Spokesperson of the Janata Dal (U). The Congress Party has welcomed his entry into the Party.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the threats, intemperate and irresponsible language of the BJP President, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, are most objectionable. They surely betray his lack of experience, seriousness and maturity. There cannot be in a democracy a threat to the opposition ruled States for the imposition of Article 356 by the Central Government only because the Congress Party and the other opposition have rightly demanded President’s Rule in Gujarat for the conduct of free and fair elections.

24.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, has congratulated Shri Kapil Dev on winning the coveted Wisden Award as the best cricketer of the century. We congratulate the other Indian cricketers who also received Wisden Awards.

Shri Anand Sharma said that yesterday the Government has formalised the appointment of an interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir. As per the terms of reference, the stated brief or mandate of the interlocutor, who is none other than BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitly, is to talk to the Jammu and Kashmir Government, representatives, other organisations, individuals and groups on the issues involved.

25.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press.

Shri Anand Sharma said that we would like to greet the new President who has assumed office today and we wish him a successful tenure.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the debate on Gujarat in both the Houses has concluded and the media has followed the debate. There are many pertinent questions, which the speakers in both Houses had raised questions, which remain unanswered from the Government’s side. Despite persistent demands by our members in both Houses, the Government has carefully skirted those questions and avoided any response. Therefore on behalf of the Congress Party, Shri Priyaranjan Dasmunshi has written to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha pointing this out listing these questions.

Shri Anand Sharma said that yesterday the Government has woken up from its deep slumber on the drought situation. We had spoken last week on the enormity of the crisis and demanded immediate and effective measures from the Government.

26.07.2002 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Copies of the letter written by the Congress President to the Prime Minister were issued to the press.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President has written to the Prime Minister expressing her concern and opposition against the recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture that India should become a member of the Union for Protection of New Plant Varieties. Last year the Parliament had passed an Act protecting the Indian farmers and included many safeguards. Now the recommendation of the Agriculture Ministry goes against that Act and takes away that protection which has been provided by Parliament to the Indian farmer.

29.07.2002 : Shri Natwar Singh, Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Abhishek Singhvi briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the CWC met yesterday and passed a resolution condoling the death of the Vice President of India, Shri Krishna Kant.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi is pleased to appoint Shri Syed Sibte Razi and Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi as Congress Spokespersons.

Shri Natwar Singh said that the media is aware of the statement of Mr. Colin Powell in which he said that "Kashmir was on the international agenda." We have a great deal of regard for Mr. Powell and the Congress Party has welcomed the substantial improvement in Indo-US relations during the Bush administration because it is in our interest to have the closest relations with the United States. Therefore, this observation in our judgment is not in keeping with the present state of friendly relations between the United States and India. We would like the Government to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament, to clarify and comment on the observations made by the distinguished Secretary of State for the United States, Mr. Colin Powell.

30.07.2002 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Abhishek Singhvi, Shri Sibte Razi and Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi briefed the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we wholeheartedly welcome the decision of the Election Commission to depute a nine-member team to Gujarat to study the conditions at the ground level. This team has been sent to see if the conditions in Gujarat are conducive to the conduct of fair and free elections.

On being asked whether the Mayawati Government would act since her Government is supported by the BJP, Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that the past record of the UP Government, preceding and current, has not been very optimistic and correct. That is why we have said that we are apprehensive but along with being apprehensive we hope and trust that the right thing is done by the UP Government. This is an opportunity for them to redeem their past failures.

31.07.2002 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Syed Sibte Razi and Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi briefed the press.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the media is aware that the Supreme Court has set up an eleven-member bench to consider legal matters arising from educational rights conferred on the minority educational institutions. If the Government wanted to take a stand on such a sensitive and paramount issue it should have consulted the opposition parties so that a consensus could have been worked out. In fact, the matter was never discussed in the NDA. According to our information the matter was never discussed in the Cabinet. The direction to the Solicitor General on behalf of the Government was given by the HRD Minister.

On George Fernandes

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we have to go back to the famous brochure written by the veteran and venerable journalist, Mr. R. V. Pandit. The brochure was sent to all of us including the CAG with the forwarding letter of Mr. George Fernandes himself. Mr. R. V. Pandit claimed to have written that brochure in purely public interest. Mr. George Fernandes claimed that the special documents made available to Mr. Pandit were also made available to all the journalists. It is for the media to sit in judgment over the statement made by Mr. Fernandes. As we knew it, those documents were made available only to Mr. R. V. Pandit. Now it transpires that Mr. R. V. Pandit’s family provided finance to the Samata Party to get an expert report from outside the country on the nature of the tapes. It is very clear that the brochure of Mr. Pandit was completely sponsored. It is again clear that Mr. George Fernandes violated the provisions of the Official Secrets Act by making all those confidential documents available to Mr. Pandit.

- Tom Vadakkan
Media Secretary