AICC Diary

5.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that we see a common thread running through such monumental episodes as humiliating surrender in Kandahar and huge massacre in the Assembly premises of Jammu and Kashmir, and the hijack farce in Delhi. That common thread is the NDA Government’s chronic, colossal incompetence. We all vividly remember the manner in which Mr. Jaswant Singh went all the way to Kandahar to present Masood Azhar who enacted the huge tragedy right in the premises of J & K Assembly. The hijack drama is a drama which led to trauma for the people of India for a few hours which led to shame for India in the Comity of Nations. There have been critical comments in the foreign press and media about the way in which we handled the whole issue. With a view to distancing himself, the Prime Minister has appointed a committee. The fact is that the Civil Aviation Minister created a false scare in the country about a non-existent hijack. He should have doubly cross-checked before he told the nation about it. What was worse, this bungling was followed by a clumsy cover-up that it was part of hijack drill. It is a case of dangerous mix of bungling and deception. They have reduced the country to a laughing stock. At least the Civil Aviation Minister has no right whatsoever to continue in the Cabinet.

To a question on whether the Congress Party wanted the Government to be more aggressive in its policy vis-à-vis Pakistan, Shri Reddy said that it was after all, a huge failure. The incident showed that there was no corridor for safety or security corridor between the Assembly gates and other buildings. This was not the first suicide attempt in Kashmir. This is the single biggest terrorist incident in the world since September 11.

Asked if the Congress Party would support the demand of the J & K Chief Minister to attack terrorist-camps across the border, Shri Reddy said that in such matters no opposition party can tender such an advice. We do not have all the inputs, we do not have adequate information, therefore we cannot tender advice in such strategic initiatives.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that without going into the merits of disinvestments as such, we are of the considered view that the present time is singularly inappropriate as the world is passing through the biggest recession since 1930s and the markets globally and domestically are facing highly depressing environment. If we go in for disinvestment at this time, we will not get the minimum value for the stocks that we sell. In the case of Maruti, there is today joint management control. Even if Government of India loses 6-7% of its share, it will lead to 100% management control by Suzuki Company.

The nation has made huge investment in Maruti Company, we are not as a party opposed to disinvestments of Maruit per se. We are opposed to any attempt at distress sale. We are even more vehemently opposed to conspiratorial sale, fraudulent and collusive sale. Therefore, we want the Government to wait for a better time, evolve more effective and transparent methods to get minimum value for the investment made in Maruti by the country.

Asked if all disinvestments exercise should be stopped till the market climate improves, Shri Reddy said that we have not yet studied other disinvestments proposals. As the leading opposition party, we do not comment till studying such proposals. We have come to this conclusion in respect to Maruti. In the case of Maruti, the route they are adopting is controversial to say the least as today there is joint management control.

To a question on Shri Manohar Joshi’s statement that the shares would be sold to financial institutions, Shri Reddy said that firstly we have not been able to understand Manohar Joshi who gained expertise under the tutelage of Bal Thackeray has his own mystifying formulae. When UTI purchased the shares of PSUs and their value went down, the opposition blamed the Government that sold the shares to UTI. Manohar Joshi with his great experience as Chief Minister knows banks and financial institutions cannot be persuaded. It is only a fig-leaf.

8.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Government of India must be able to exercise its bargaining diplomatic leverage, more particularly, in the context of what happened in Kashmir just a few days back.

Asked if the Congress Party wanted the Government to take up the issue with America and internationalise it, Shri Reddy said this should be a global effort against terrorism. All those spots that are suffering from terrorism should be addressed, the foremost among them is Jammu and Kashmir. We are not asking just America, it is for the world community to take note of this.

While a large number of countries have joined this struggle, the concerns of many nations particularly of ours, have not been taken note of. Our concerns cannot take second position.

To a question on President Musharraf’s statement, Shri Reddy said that General Musharraf has been an expert on double-speak. Terrorism is terrorism, any kind of rationale cannot justify terrorism. In principle and substance, what has happened in the US on September 11 is not different from what has been happening in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asked for a reaction on Musharraf’s statement that conflict situations are responsible for terrorism, Shri Reddy said that we do not subscribe to the theory. The causes can always be addressed. The means of terrorism cannot be justified whatever the merits of the cause.

On being asked whether Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has cancelled her China visit, Shri Reddy said that as of now there is no confirmation of that.

12.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that we offer our warmest felicitations to Sir V. S. Naipaul on the occasion of his winning this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature. We share our nation’s pride as he is a literary genius of Indian origin. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that after the 11th July revision of electoral rolls this year in Thakurdwara Assembly segment in UP, it has been found that 15,800 voters of minority community were arbitrarily deleted from the electoral rolls. In the same Assembly segment, 21,000 voters of another community were included in an equally arbitrary way. This was done in a conspiratorial manner. We complement the Election Commission for having corrected this huge mischief. Mention must be made in this connection as representation was made to the Election Commission by the Congress Party and Congress Party’s M. P. Begum Noor Bano.

The Election Commission asked the UP Government to take action against the guilty officials. The State Government has been giving one excuse after another to avoid taking action on the guilty officials. The Congress Party led by UPCC President, Shri Shri Prakash Jaiswal, and the CLP leader, Shri Pramod Tiwari, made a representation to the Governor to impress on the UP Government to take deterrent action against the officials involved. According to our Party sources similar mischief has been perpetrated in various parts of UP. People belonging to the minority community are being sought to be denied their franchise through another devious method, that is, through denial of identity cards. This is not only a crude example of communal disfranchisement but a severe blow to India’s democracy. There is a need for everybody to be on the alert against this and various kinds of subversion. Asked if the AICC will instruct the UPCC President to be more alert, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we have asked our Party unit throughout UP to be more alert as for the BJP this is the last resort of winning the elections in UP.

Shri Reddy said that Mr. Bangaru Laxman continues to be under the dark cloud of not only allegations made in the wake of Tehelka expose but also of ongoing inquiry by a judicial commission. We, therefore, condemn BJP’s method of backdoor reinstatement of Mr. Bangaru Laxman as Chairman of Rajya Sabha Committee for Housing. The Chairman no doubt is appointed by Chairman, Rajya Sabha but the names for Chairmanship are given by the parties. Therefore, the BJP has to take full responsibility for this misdemeanour. It is a conscious attempt to dilute the gravity of implications of Tehelka expose. Asked if it was an error on Mr. Krishna Kant’s part in appointing him, Shri Reddy said that the presiding officers of either houses of Parliament have no say in such matters. The decisions are taken by the parties concerned. On being asked if the appointment was illegal, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the appointment is not illegal but is absolutely improper. To a question on whether meetings between Amar Singh, General Secretary of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress President can be interpreted as being a coming closer of the two parties, Shri Reddy said that as of now there is no thought let alone a move in that direction.

Asked whether his saying ‘as of now’ indicates the possibility of an alliance in the future, Shri Reddy said that naturally in politics we can only talk about the present.

To a question on whether there was any political move in Amar Singh being invited to a programme of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Shri Reddy said that the RGF is a non-political and academic organisation. People of all parties are invited, it is managed by non-political academics. It would not be correct if we confuse the activities of the Foundation with our political activities.

Asked if the Congress Party has changed its views on Amar Singh since he has revised his opinions on the Congress President, Shri Reddy said we do not have such an adverse opinion about him and don’t have to revise our opinion on anybody. To a question on what transpired at the meeting of the Congress President with the Prime Minister, Shri Reddy said that it was a meeting held at the invitation of the Prime Minister. It was a brief meeting, there is nothing special to write home about.

Asked what transpired when the American Ambassador called on the Congress President, Shri Reddy said that it is the job of Ambassadors of any country to meet the leaders of various political parties apart from the Government to apprise them of their own country’s perspectives and views on current developments.

To a question on whether Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has endorsed all steps taken by the Government, Shri Reddy said no. It is a firm no. Asked if the Congress President has asked the Prime Minister to stop the meeting of Chief Ministers in Karnataka, Shri Reddy said that firstly it is not true to say that the Congress Party has stopped the Chief Ministers meeting in Karnataka. Secondly we do not think if that matter has figured there.

To a question on whether action will be taken against any State Government official who attends the RSS meeting in Jaipur, Shri Reddy said that this issue as to whether Government officials can attend RSS meetings has been settled once and for all. When the Gujarat Government issued a circular on the matter, it was forced to take it back. The Government of India advised the Gujarat Government not to allow Government officials to attend RSS meetings. There is no question of Rajasthan Government officials attending the meeting. We do not think they will but if they do, the Rajasthan Government will take action.

13.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we are astounded to learn about the move to reinduct Mr. George Fernandes into the Cabinet. This is nothing but brazen violation of all canons of public conduct. It also represents the height of shamelessness on the part of Mr. Vajpayee, who is openly surrendering to the pressure, and also on the part of Mr. George Fernandes, who is in indecent haste to become a Minister. We would re-paraphrase Shakespeare and say, ‘Shamelessness thy name is NDA’. It is a cruel joke that this move has been made on the day when the Venkatswami Commission has rejected the plea of Samata Party and stated categorically that the Tehelka tapes are undoctored. In view of this definitive observation by the Commission, at least one aspect of the Tehelka scandal has been conclusively proved, i.e., the bribe received in the official residence of George Fernandes who was the then Defence Minister.

Mr. Fernandes should not, therefore, be taken into the Cabinet but, in fact, FIR must be filed against him. The induction of Mr. Fernandes will be a serious challenge to our democratic system. It is also an insult to the Venkatswami Commission which is still inquiring into the charges implicit in Tehelka tapes. This is a move to cripple the functioning of Venkatswami Commission. You will kindly recollect that the Congress Party wanted JPC in the matter. It is the Government, which appointed Commission of Inquiry. Now the Commission is also being undone. All this is nothing short of a fraud on the nation. George Fernandes can come back as a Minister only after the Venkatswami Commission report is submitted to the Government and discussed by Parliament.

Shri Reddy said that Shri Hiren Pathak is still facing a charge sheet. We do not know how his name is being considered for inclusion in the Council of Ministers. If all this can be done, why shouldn’t poor Bangaru Laxman be reinstated as BJP President? Asked what was the haste in holding a special press conference on a hypothetical issue of George Fernandes becoming a Minister, Shri Reddy said that we have our own definite information apart from what has appeared in the press. To a question on what information the Congress Party has on the portfolio being given to George Fernandes, Shri Reddy said that our information is that he is going to get back Defence Ministry so that all the scandals being inquired into by the Commission can be successfully covered up.

To a question on what the Congress Party would do if George Fernandes becomes Defence Minister, Shri Reddy said that in a democracy, public opinion will prevail. It will prevail not only against George Fernandes but against Vajpayee who will be held responsible for this outrage. Since we are in public life, our job is to mould public opinion.

Asked if the Congress Party is not going to congratulate Vajpayee on the second anniversary of this Government, Shri Reddy said that Vajpayee has been around for three years that were the three most unproductive years in the history of free India. To a question on how the Congress Party has performed as an opposition party in the last three years, Shri Reddy said that we have been a very constructive and at the same time devastatingly effective opposition party.

15.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Reddy said the reinduction of George Fernandes into the Cabinet is nothing but blue murder of democracy. It entails distortion, perversion and subversion of all norms and forms of public life. Mr. Vajpayee has displayed more cynical and more wanton disregard for political proprieties than any other Indian Prime Minister in the history of independent India. Now Mr. Vajpayee has truly reduced India to a banana republic. Mr. Fernandes who quit the Cabinet through compulsion has returned through blackmail. The Prime Minister is deliberately spreading a blatant falsehood that Mr. Fernandes has not been implicated in the Tehelka tapes. The fact of the matter is that the lapses show that there was intimate interaction between Mr. R. K. Jain defence-dealer-cum-treasurer of the Samata Party and George Fernandes in regard to eight defence purchase proposals which figure in the Tehelka tapes. By way of illustration we refer to only two, Mr. R. K. Jain knew that the purchase of Barak missiles was overruled by Dr. Abdul Kalam. How could R. K. Jain know a classified secret of the defence department. Mr. Jain says he was in Moscow during the same days that George Fernandes was there with the prior consent of Mrs. Jaya Jaitly. We object to induction of George Fernandes because as Defence Minister he will be in advantageous position to cover all these deals.

Shri Reddy said that we hold the Prime Minister more responsible than Mr. George Fernandes for today’s black incident. Today’s expansion is one of those black days in the history of Indian democracy. Mr. George Fernandes had been dying to become Defence Minister and the reasons are obvious. It is now contented that Mr. Fernandes is an able Defence Minister. In his long Parliamentary career let Mr. Fernandes show one word he uttered on Defence until he became Defence Minister. How does anybody associate him with expertise in this area? Why are they taking advantage of September 11 incidents for creating this kind of impropriety? As though this is not enough he has inducted Mr. Hiren Pathak who is still facing a charge sheet. He even went to the High Court for getting the charges quashed but the High Court refused this. The context in which Mr. Hiren Pathak was made to resign has not changed at all.

Asked what was the Congress Party’s plan of action on this issue, Shri Reddy said that the only weapon the opposition and media have in democracy is to campaign against this cruel impropriety and we shall take it up among the people and in Parliament. To a question on whether anybody from the Congress Party attended the swearing-in, Shri Reddy said that it was not a boycott but a unilateral abstinence on the part of every Congressman.

Shri Reddy said that no words are adequate to denounce the diabolic occurrence in Taj Mahal yesterday. The persons responsible for the reprehensible disturbances and objectionable slogans in the Taj Mahal complex, were none other than delegates of BJP youth convention which was addressed by none other than the Prime Minister of India. This incident gives us a blinding glimpse into the fascist side of BJP’s face. We earnestly appeal to all Indians to ponder over the dangerous character of BJP’s ideology. On the basis of this defilement of India’s most celebrated monument.

17.10.2001 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Anand Sharma said that the American Secretary of State, Mr. Colin Powell, met the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and discussed the emerging situation in the world and global terrorism, especially the issues related to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The Congress President was accompanied by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Shri K. Natwar Singh and Shri Aneil Mathrani, Secretary of the AICC Foreign Department. The American delegation comprised of, besides Mr. Powell, the Assistant Secretary of State, the American Ambassador and experts on issues related to disarmament and terrorism. It was a wide-ranging discussion in a friendly environment. Smt. Sonia Gandhi conveyed to Mr. Powell India’s serious concern on cross border terrorism and loss of lives due to it. Smt. Gandhi also made it abundantly clear that cross-border terrorism is the central issue and not Kashmir as the impression is being created. The Congress President expressed serious anguish and concern over the loss of lives of innocent civilians in Afghanistan. She also emphasised that all care be taken to save civilian lives. Mr. Colin Powell shared this concern. On the question of terrorism, Smt. Sonia Gandhi made it very clear our unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terror, which has been reiterated by the Congress President on 19th September and 8th October. Mr. Colin Powell stated that they too were opposed to terrorism in all its manifestations and condemned the attack in Srinagar on 1st October.

Asked what Mr. Colin Powell said on Kashmir, Shri Anand Sharma said that he referred only that they recognised the terrorism faced by India and their condemnation of it.

To a question on whether the Congress Party considered the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by a RSS activist to be an act of terrorism, Shri Anand Sharma said that any ideology that is based on murder is a terrorist ideology. We are referring to his assassination, which was an act of both hatred and terror. Those who perpetrated that act and that ideology, is an ideology of terrorism, Fascism and hatred.

Asked to react on Shatrughan Sinha’s statement that since George Fernandes is back in the Cabinet, Laloo Prasad Yadav should once again become Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Anand Sharma said that we will not make a political comment on what Shatrughan Sinha has said. All principles, conventions and precedents have been undermined by this reinduction. The Prime Minister has done a singular disservice to Party democracy by bringing in an individual who is the central focus of an ongoing Government appointed Commission of Inquiry. It has also undermined the principle of ministerial responsibility, which is the fundamental principle of Parliamentary Democracy. For the same incidents of Tehelka dotcom, Senior Army officials have faced court-martial and charges have been framed against them. What signal has been sent to the Armed forces who will be demoralised? What signal has been sent to the Judicial Commission? Venkatswami Commission has been decommissioned by this induction. The Congress Party has initiated a nationwide agitation over this issue, which will start tomorrow with dharnas/demonstrations at all State Capitals. The agitation will go on till the beginning of the Parliament session.

Asked for a reaction on the Government’s decision to bring in an ordinance on a new terrorism prevention act, Shri Anand Sharma said that we have our strong reservations over the manner in which the present Government is addressing serious issues or bringing through the backdoor ordinances, laws that have far reaching bearing on the mass of our people. We fail to understand the timing or the hurry on the part of the Government since criminal law amendment bill was pending in Parliament. It specifically states, ‘to make special provisions for the prevention of, and for coping with, terrorist and disruptive activities and to supplement the criminal law.’ We have only four weeks before the winter session of Parliament, we don’t see any hurry in bringing an ordinance. Any law which impinges on the personal liberty, human rights and fundamental rights should be brought through a consensus in Parliament.

In response to a question Shri Anand Sharma said that we recognise that there may be a need of certain legislations and laws to meet extraordinary situations and activities which are not covered by the prevalent criminal laws in the country. Having said that we have strong reservations on the matter. Asked whether the Congress Party opposed or supported the Ordinance, he said that we cannot comment till we see the draft formulations. We may support some clauses and oppose many clauses.

18.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we condemn the manner in which VHP leaders defied the order of Supreme Court and entered the prohibited premises in Ayodhya. The VHP leaders were guilty of deliberate and defiant violation of law. They should be arrested for criminal trespass. That the BJP and VHP are different is an example of black humour as they together perpetrated the demolition of Babri Masjid. It is the arrogance of power that the BJP enjoys both in Lucknow and Delhi that has gone to the heads of VHP leaders. The explanation of the UP police that it was a security lapse does not hold water. It is a case of security sabotage. It is in fact an integral part of the build up of the Sangh Parivar to build Ram Temple at the disputed site in total violation of the Supreme Court’s directives. From our party sources we are fully alive to the fact that pre-fabricated structures of the Temple are being built in various parts of the country, to confront the country with a fait accompli. Under no circumstances shall we allow this to be done in this country. Apart from this we need to note the shenanigans of VHP are calculated to divide the people of UP on sectarian lines in the run up to the polls.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we recall how the BJP’s Youth wing had committed a sacrilege at the Taj Mahal. None of the activists of the BJP Youth wing has been brought to book. We, therefore, wonder whether the activists of Sangh Parivar are above the law. Asked how the Congress Party will stop the building of Ram Temple when it could not prevent the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we will cross the bridge when the time comes. We have learnt a lot from experience.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that yesterday we recorded our grave reservations on the proposed ordinance on the new TADA laws. We have since had wider consultations in the part, and have decided to oppose it tooth and nail. One of the most notorious features of the new TADA law is that pressmen can be booked. Such a draconian feature was not part of the old TADA law. Our experience with the old TADA law was that it bred inefficiency and corruption apart from incalculable injustice to lots of innocent people. What we in the 21st century need is a combination of liberal laws and effective State. We certainly do not want a combination of draconian laws and weak, withering State. We are of the view that draconian laws are certainly no substitute to effective investigation and proper prosecution. Only bad rulers need strong laws.

On being asked that the Congress Chief Ministers asked for this law, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we are saying there is no need for such a national law. This is the official view of the Congress Party and is binding on all Congress Chief Ministers. Many States have their preventive detention laws like Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act. Therefore, there is no need for a national law.

Asked why the Congress Party changed its view today, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that yesterday we were instantaneously reacting, even then we expressed many reservations.

To a question on SIMI, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that on SIMI our view is that the action was one-sided. Bajrang Dal is as guilty as SIMI in regard to its fundamentalist and illegal activities. In this context the whole country has to think of VHP also.

Asked if the Congress Party will not support the new law in Rajya Sabha, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that it is unambiguously clear we will oppose it, therefore, we ask the Government not to promulgate the ordinance.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the first phase of the nationwide campaign against the reinduction of George Fernandes begun today with the demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Senior Congress leaders Shri Motilal Vora, Smt. Ambika Soni, Shri Kamal Nath, senior DPCC leaders and thousands of workers were arrested. Many leaders and workers were injured in the lathi-charge and tear-gassing by the police. Such demonstrations were held at every State Capital.

Asked about the situation in Pondicherry, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that our General Secretary Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad is there. We will naturally have a different Chief Minister. He could not get elected because there was no vacancy. He was not sworn in violation of any law.

19.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that Shri N. Rangaswamy, MLA and Minister in the outgoing Cabinet, has been chosen as CLP leader in Pondicherry and he will naturally become the State’s Chief Minister. The AICC General Secretary, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, and the AICC Secretary, Shri Ramesh Chennithala, were both in the meeting which elected Shri Rangaswamy.

Shri Reddy said that parts of Andhra Pradesh have been facing severe floods which can be described as a major natural disaster that has hit Andhra Pradesh in recent time. The Congress President in the course of her telephonic conversation with CLP leader, Dr. Y. S. Rajashekhar Reddy called upon the Congressmen to help raise relief material and organise the same to thousands of victims.

Shri Reddy said that the Prime Minister described the violation of law on the part of VHP leaders regarding the gate-crashing into the prohibited area in Ayodhya as a security lapse. Such innocuous admissions by the Prime Minister can be described as an eyewash. How can an inquiry by an Additional DGP be adequate for such a serious incident which involved a blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s directions? We demand that a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge of Allahabad High Court, should be ordered into the incident. Rajnath Singh has no legal or moral right to be Chief Minister. Nearly 50% of the Assembly is empty but he continues to stick to the office of Chief Minister. He should quit his job on legal and moral grounds particularly after the Taj Mahal and Ayodhya incidents.

Asked why the Congress Party is not approaching the Supreme Court on this matter, Shri Reddy said that we are not competent to advise the Supreme Court on such matters. For us to approach it as a party, our locus standi will be in doubt. We are a political party, we believe in agitation and do not indulge in litigation.

To a question on whether in a meeting with the Congress President editors had raised the issue of foreign investment in the media and what was the Congress Party’s stand on the issue, Shri Jaipal Reddy said the Congress Party took a well-considered position that there was no need for foreign investment in the media.

To a question on whether it was correct to assume that the Congress Party was with the Government’s line in the upcoming WTO talks in Doha, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress Party has been consistently opposed to the attempt of developed countries to establish links between international trade and labour standards, and international trade and environmental standards. We have always been opposed to these linkages and that they are obstructive to free world trade. If the Government agrees with us, we will be happy.

22.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. We wish to draw the attention of the Nation to the self-Congratulatory assertion of Mr. Advani, that it was his Rath Yatra in the name of Cultural Nationalism that provided the quantum jump.

It is evident from this admission now that the Rath Yatra was a Purely Political gambit and not a matter of religious emotion. It has no doubt played a gigantic dividend to the BJP. The Nation paid the price through its nose both figuratively and literally. The price was paid in terms of thousands of lives lost, and in terms of the incalculable loss to the polity of the country.

While BJP enjoys the fruits of office, the country in going through a turbulent phase. This belated confession of Mr. Advani was also meant to be for Mr. Vajpayee and the BJP, that credit should be given to him for the Power acquired by the BJP. It is, therefore, not surprising that Vajpayee was not comfortable and expressed his disappointment at being marginalised in his own Party. While we are not bothered about their internal quarrels, we are concerned about its impact on the administration, economy and security of the Country.

On UP, he said we express our gratitude to the people of Uttar Pradesh who have made both our rallies in Lucknow and Merrut a grand success. From all accounts these rallies are considered to be the largest gathering these cities have witnessed in recent times. A question was raised on Amithabh Bachan’s campaigning for the Samajwadi Party, Mr. Jaipal Reddy stated that he had no comments to make. On a question on J. B. Patnaik, Mr. Reddy asserted that his services will be utilised at the national level with due regard to his seniority and wide experience.

25.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri K. Natwar Singh and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Also present were Shri Devendra Dwivedi and Shri R. K. Anand. Shri Natwar Singh said that it is a very happy occasion that we have two distinguished citizens of India, Shri Devendra Dwivedi and Shri R. K. Anand who have decided to formally join the family of the Congress Party. We welcome them with both hands and open arms and are delighted that they have become a part of our family. We look forward to working with them closely, it further strengthens our party because they are individuals of high standing.

Shri Devendra Dwivedi said that for me it is a case of homecoming. A homecoming with mixed feelings of joy, a slight embarrassment, a little remorse and lot of hopes and self confidence. I took the decision to leave the Congress Party in a state of mental pressure that I started regretting soon after and regretted thereafter. In front of the country there are grave issues. It is not just a question of misgovernance. The BJP is a party that does not have anything do with the freedom struggle, the core of our Constitution and the process of nation building. The word Secularism which is the lynch pin of India’s nation statehood is referred to in sarcasm and cultural nationalism, a concept which is alien to Indian national stream and Indian ethos is the ideological foundation of this BJP. This party is institutionalising instability and identifies itself not with the nation but a section of the nation. A voice is being raised throughout the country that there is no alternative to the Congress Party. The BJP is not an alternative to the Congress Party, the BJP is not a substitute, it is a mere replacement for some time. Till the Congress Party is once again restablished at the Centre, political stability will continue to elude the country. I am beholden to the Congress President. When I met her I expressed my regret at what I had done. In her magnanimity she treated the past as it never happened and accepted me without any reservation.

Asked if his return indicated the return of Shri Sharad Pawar to the Congress Party, Shri Devendra Dwivedi said that he didn’t think so. We had differences on a couple of issues. I separated myself from the NCP when some people wanted to remove the word Congress from NCP and ran a personal vendetta against the Congress leadership. It is my own decision to join the Congress Party, it does not signal the return of anyone else.

To a question on his reservations on the issue of Congress President’s foreign origins, Shri Devendra Dwivedi said that as a matter of fact it was an error of judgement on my part, that was a wrong issue to associate myself with. As soon as we formed coalition Government in Maharashtra with a view to forging a closer alliance with the Congress, I proposed that the NCP give up this issue. I said it on television that that issue is dead. The issue was un-Indian. It was against Indian ethos and Hindu ethos, which is an important component of Indian ethos.

Shri R. K. Anand said that he had been associated with Congress leaders since 1977-78. In 1981 he had been lawyer of Smt. Indira Gandhi and had all kinds of interaction with her when a succession suit had been filed after the death of Shri Sanjay Gandhi. He also appeared as a lawyer for Shri Rajiv Gandhi and since had with other Congress leaders.

Asked if he had joined the JMM only to become a Member of Parliament, Shri R. K. Anand said that at that time there was only one seat which was available. Only because of the JMM I could not have been elected as JMM had only 13 votes. My nomination was signed not only by JMM but by the BJP also. The JMM was then a part of the NDA when they ditched JMM we separated from them.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that an ordinance regarding the new TADA law has been promulgated a few hours before the notification of winter session of Parliament which is scheduled to begin on 19th of November. The notification is a fraud on constitutional morality.

Asked for a reaction on the SC/ST Commission’s ruling against the Chattisgarh Chief Minister, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that as for the order of the SC/ST Commission, we must say Shri Bhuria is a politician who now owes allegiance to the BJP. He passed an order on a petition filed by a BJP functionary. The matter has been stayed by Chattisgarh High Court. We have full faith in the judiciary, we will abide by the verdict of the courts in the matter.

29.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that in his message on Vijaydakshmi, the RSS Chief true to form called upon Hindus to protect themselves with firearms. It was intended to deepen and widen the communal divide in the country and nobody can match the RSS Chief in doing such disservice. We may recall how BJP used to claim it would be able to provide a stable Government. The experience in recent years has shown that the BJP had to change Chief Ministers three times when they were in power in Delhi, three times in Uttar Pradesh, three times in Gujarat and are going for a second Chief Minister in less than a year in Uttranchal. This explodes the myth of BJP’s ability to provide stable or meaningful Governments. In all these four states they had majority of their own except Uttar Pradesh where they had to manage by pliable defections. Every time the BJP changes a Chief Minister they look for a dark horse from the RSS stable. We would say Vajpayee is relatively stable because BJP does not have a majority in Lok Sabha.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we express our grave concern at the massacre of Christians in Pakistan. We also express our concern at the new sense of insecurity among the Hindu minority in Bangladesh following a change of guard in Dakha. We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to see that the minority community in Bangladesh is given full protection.

To a question on Musharraf’s proposal for a summit with India, Shri Jaipal Reddy said the Government, which has access to all inputs in the matter. It is the Government, which has to take initiative on such matters and consult the opposition. The Congress Party is committed to continuation of dialogue. When and how dialogues are to be conducted depends on the tactical details with the Government.

30.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress President has called an informal meeting of CWC this forenoon to discuss the current international situation, in particular with reference to the developments in our region. This was the primary purpose of the meeting and the CWC members exchanged notes on the developments. They have had a comprehensive interaction among themselves.

He said there was grave concern at the mounting civilian casualties. Asked if the Congress delegation to the all-party meeting will raise the issue of civilian casualties, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we cannot pre-empt what the Congress President and Dr. Manmohan Singh are going to say at that meeting. After the meeting, Dr. Manmohan Singh will brief the press.

To a question on the Government’s decision to bring in open ballot for elections to the Rajya Sabha, Shri Jaipal Reddy the CWC has felt that we should have wider consultations before we finalize a wider response. However these amendments will come before Parliament and by that time the Party would have finalized its position. Shri Jaipal Reddy said the Government has not taken the opposition parties into confidence in the recent past. These amendments may have been discussed in some meeting in the distant past.

To a question on the parties stand on smaller states, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the CWC had constituted a committee headed by Shri Pranab Mukherjee to study the question or demand for smaller states. This committee has submitted its recommendations to the CWC and the CWC has discussed the recommendations. The Committee has stated, ‘The Committee has gone into the history of demand for the separate statehood for Vidharbha and Telangana from the times of the establishment of the States’ Reorganization Commission in 1953. The Committee has come to the conclusion that there are many valid reasons for the formation of the two States. However, the reorganization of existing States raises a large number of issues and the Committee feels that this whole issue can best be addressed by another States’ Reorganization Commission to be set up by the Government of India. The Committee suggests that the CWC may consider asking the Government of India to set up such Commission.’ The CWC has accepted the recommendation. The Congress Party will be asking the Government of India to appoint another States’ Reorganization Commission. Shri Jaipal Reddy said the Committee was headed by Shri Pranab Mukherjee and its members were Shri Arjun Singh, late Shri Madhavrao Scindia, Smt. Ambika Soni and Shri Oscar Fernandes.

31.10.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. AICC today condoled Mr. B K Nehru who expired at the age of 92. He was an eminent member of the Nehru clan. His contribution will be remembered by the country.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress President has called an informal meeting of CWC this forenoon to discuss the current international situation, in particular with reference to the developments in our region. The CWC members exchanged notes on the developments and had a comprehensive interaction among themselves.

2.11.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Anand Sharma & Shri G. Venkataswamy briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that we take strong exception to the cynical fashion in which the Prime Minister has misutilised the sacred forum of Somnath Temple to strengthen the stereotypical sectarian prejudices in the country. It’s all the more unfortunate as he made this subversive attempt at a time when communal harmony is a national imperative. The Prime Minister and other BJP leaders have also made pathetic attempts to plagarise the legacy of Sardar Patel. Every student of history knows Sardar Patel was not only responsible for the imposition of ban on RSS but also for having accused RSS of generating communal hatred to such a pitch that it led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The BJP leaders have once again begun to indulge in divisive rhetoric with the calculated view to cover up their miserable record in matters of governance.

To a question on the resolution passed by the BJP National Executive urging the Congress Party to reconsider its opposition to POTO, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that this appeal of BJP should not cause any surprise because the ordinance was promulgated with a view to making such hypocritical appeals. If the BJP was interested in POTO it would have consulted the Congress Party and other parties in advance and not promulgated it.

Asked whether the Congress Party would oppose POTO in Parliament or move amendments, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we would oppose it. It will be opposed through a statutory resolution and also opposed by moving amendments.

On being asked whether he had held any talks with the Government, Shri G. Venkatswamy said that no talks had been held. Some Dalits came to us requesting that we raise our voice and oppose the Government’s decision.

Asked if the Government had given any reason for banning the rally, Shri G. Venkatswamy said that the police has said that it had given permission for one lac but more than seven lac people are coming. Is this a valid reason for banning a yearly program? Don’t Dalits have fundamental rights?

5.11.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that we wish to register our strong protest against the manner in which Mr. Tom Vadakkan, Secretary Media Committee has been personally targeted by the CBI in the last three days. One Mr. Rathi, CBI official called on Mr. Tom Vadakkan’s house on Friday evening on phone when Mr. Vadakkan was still in the AICC office. After Mr. Vadakkan left for the AICC office on Saturday, Mr. Rathi visited his house again and inquired with Mrs. Vadakkan as to the profession of Mr. Vadakkan. Mrs. Vadakkan told him that he works as Secretary Media Department. Yesterday, that is, Sunday, his wife received another visit from Mr. Rathi. He told Mrs. Vadakkan he wanted to inquire about one matter from Mr. Vadakkan. This morning when Mr. Tom Vadakkan called the officer on his own, the officer said he wanted to talk about Tehelka matter. He asked the officer to come to AICC but the officer refused. Mr. Vadakkan then offered to meet him somewhere for a cup of tea, but the officer refused. Then again in the afternoon Mr. Vadakkan tried to contact him but the officer did not respond.

Shri Reddy said that we are wondering as to why the CBI after seven long months is trying to talk to Mr. Vadakkan about the Tehelka affair. The Government has done everything to bypass, sabotage, pre-empt the working of Venkatswami Commission. The CBI did not lift its little finger to file an FIR against Bangaru Laxman or Jaya Jaitly. CBI chose to turn a blind eye to video footage. We don’t know why the CBI chose to harass functionaries of political parties on holidays. CBI is being used as an instrument of intimidation and as a partisan tool. This clandestine parallel investigation by the CBI is tantamount to an affront to Venkatswami Commission. It appears that the Venkatswami Commission has been consigned to the dustbin.

Asked whether the Congress Party is going to approach the Venkatswami Commission over the matter, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that let the CBI officer come and tell him what they want. CBI has not told anyone so far as to what kind of investigation it has initiated. Bureaucrats and political leaders have gone Scot-free as CBI is guilty of masterly inaction.

Shri Reddy said that George Fernandes made a statement that during the seven months when he did not adorn the Defence Ministry; it had been ceased by paralysis. He said he was not making a personal attack on Jaswant Singh; apparently he was mounting a political attack on Jaswant Singh. Jaswant Singh continues to adorn the Cabinet to paralyze the Foreign Affairs Ministry. George Fernandes’ statement amounts to expression of no confidence in Vajpayee’s Cabinet as every Government is supposed to run on the principle of collective responsibility. Can senior Ministers make such statements and get away with them? The Government needs to explain as to why the Defence Ministry was ceased by paralysis.

To a question on Mr. Advani’s statement calling all those opposing POTO as being with the terrorists, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that shows all those who wrote editorials on POTO in all those major newspapers are with the terrorists. Every major newspaper wrote at least one editorial, some wrote two editorials. That only shows Mr. Advani and Co. got this ordinance promulgated to score debating points and not to fight terrorism, their motives are highly partisan and deeply political.

On being asked about the Prime Minister’s call for consensus on POTO, Shri Reddy said that if the PM’s call was sincere, we would have responded. They keep referring to United States law. The United States Anti-Terrorism Law was enacted by bi-partisan support, the White House, the Senate, the Congress all acted in tandem. Mr. Arun Shourie would like to compare POTO with the US Law. Mr. Arun Shourie should download the US Law in which there is no provision for detaining any US citizen. Even non-citizens can be detained only for a maximum period of seven days; under POTO a citizen can be detained without the charge sheet for one whole year. In the US Terrorist Law, the burden of proof does not shift on the proof. All the US Terrorist Law does is to enable the investigating agencies to tap phones and to cease the properties if necessary, to freeze the bank accounts if necessary. We are not interested in the protection of property; we are interested in the protection of liberty.

Asked if the POTO like laws in Congress-ruled States will be withdrawn, Shri Reddy said that the matter has been drawn to our attention. We have not studied those laws; only after studying them can we reach a decision. To a question on what was wrong with POTO when the Congress Government at the center had enacted TADA, Shri Reddy said that when TADA was enacted in 1985, it was passed unanimously in both houses. The Government and opposition sat together and worked out the amendments.

7.11.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Natwar Singh and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi went to the residence of late Smt. Kamla Bahuguna and paid her last respects and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of herself and the Congress Party.

Shri Reddy said that the CBI has given a clarification with regard to our charge. The clarification conceals more and reveals less. Mr. Tom Vadakkan was contacted regarding a case connected with the leaking of documents under the Official Secret Acts. Our inquiries reveal that Tehelka Company released the story in October 2000 about some subversive activities by foreign NGOs. The Home Ministry slept over this so-called objectionable report from October to March. The CBI issued an FIR in this matter on the 30th March, i.e., 13 days after the Tehelka expose of 13th March. This only shows how Tehelka.com is subjected to vendetta. Since the CBI could not do anything in regard to Tehelka tapes, they have ceased onto this slender story to hit out at Tehelka.com. This only shows that the Government can go to any length to curtail the freedom of the media. Can a Government of this kind be trusted with the sweeping powers that POTO confers? We express our deep concern at the partisan way in which the Government is using the CBI to settle nefarious political points.

Asked whether Mr. Tom Vadakkan has been questioned, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that let them do so. To a question on POTO like laws enacted by Maharashtra and Karnataka, Shri Reddy said that the Shiv Sena-BJP Government enacted the legislation in Maharashtra. In Karnataka such legislation was enacted. We will take a line on this well before the Winter Session of Parliament.

Shri K. Natwar Singh said that two days from now the Prime Minister of India will meet the American President. We hope that their talks will be successful and that when he returns to India, he will brief the nation on the talks as our peace and stability is affected by the war in Afghanistan. The Congress Party has broadly extended its support to the Government on the steps it has taken. In the war in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and the Northern Alliance are fighting in the name of Islam. We hope that during the talks, the Prime Minister will raise questions on the war in Afghanistan. The issue of death of innocent civilians especially, women and children will be taken up. Mr. Vajpayee should also enquire what action would be taken to stop terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Chechnya, Indonesia and other parts of the world where it exists.

Asked for the Congress Party’s stand on reports of pressure mounting on the Government from the RSS and hardliners to mount attacks on terrorist camps, Shri Natwar Singh said that Shri L. K Advani advocated this theory in Lok Sabha in 1998. I asked him whether he understood what he was advocating as it tantamount to declaration of war.

9.11.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri K. Natwar Singh and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Asked if it was true that Mrs. Sonia Gandhi supplied some material to Catherine Frank for her book, Shri Natwar Singh said that is not true. On being asked whether Catherine Frank met Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Shri Natwar Singh said that she met the Congress President. Catherine Frank met me, she met Shri Sharada Prasad, Smt. Usha Bhagat and a hundred other people.

Asked whether the Congress Party found anything objectionable in the book, Shri Natwar Singh said that there are many references, which should have never been made, "She says it is rumoured, it has been said." These assumptions are not correct. There was even a suggestion whether this book should have been banned, that would only have increased its sales. Catherine Frank cannot change historical facts. Authors are welcome to their views but there are obvious historical anomalies in it.

Asked if he thought there was a common thread between M. O. Mathai’s book and Catherine Frank’s book, Shri Natwar Singh that we do not know but she has referred to him. All of you may not know about M. O. Mathai but I have had the misfortune of having known him.

12.11.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress Party has decided to submit a memorandum to the Election Commission in regard to the huge electoral malpractices that are being indulged in deliberately and on a daily basis by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Rajnath Singh. Our General Secretary in charge of UP, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad going to the Election Commission and apprise it of the terrible violations of model code of conduct by the Government of UP. It is important to note that Mr. Rajnath Singh himself has announced the date of elections to the UP Assembly, sometime in February. He claimed that he was advancing the elections. On the day he made this announcement, he also announced a huge package of measures. They include such measures that increase the super-annuation age of Government employees from fifty-eight to sixty and also announced a bonus of one month’s salary. The ban on recruitment has also been lifted and 40,000 teachers, he said, will be recruited immediately. These announcements, made by Rajnath Singh keeping in view of the UP Assembly Elections, amount to a financial commitment of Rs. 70,000 crore. We are referring to the figure only to highlight that this is not only a flagrant election malpractice but also a clear fraud on the people of UP as UP Government does not simply have the money. None of the assurances are going to be implemented at all. He is taking the people of UP for a ride. Why couldn’t these measures not have been taken in the past four and and a half years? Mr. Rajnath Singh has set up a new record in violating all the norms of electioneering. Therefore, the Congress Party will make representation to the Election Commission.

Asked if the Congress Party is against these welfare measures, Shri Reddy said that we are all for welfare measures. We are not discussing the merits but the undesirability of such unhealthy practices on the eve of polls. These measures are aimed at not benefiting the people of UP but the BJP. But the people are not going to be taken for a ride as they are not going to be misled by the BJP. To a question that increasing the retirement age to sixty years was the Fifth Pay Commission’s recommendations which had been accepted by the United Front Government, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that it was Mr. Vajpayee who increased the retirement age on the day of Pokharan II blasts. We opposed it at that time also because it would curtail the employment opportunities of youth. The United Front Government did not accept this recommendation of the pay commission. Mr. Vajpayee did so on the day of the Pokharan II, as if the two matters were somehow connected.

To a pointed question that no notification has been issued, Shri Reddy said that the Election Commission has not announced the dates but Rajnath Singh could not have announced the date without having conducted correspondence with the Election Commission. The Chief Minister would be the first to know. Technically speaking you are right, but morally speaking it is a gross violation of electioneering norms.

Asked on what grounds can the Congress Party protest before the Election Commission, Shri Jaipal Reddy replied, "let the Election Commission deny the dates announced by UP Chief Minister". He announced 25th February as the date of Elections. We heard him say so on TV and all the parties in UP have all already protested against this.

To a question on whether a meeting will be held between Congress leaders and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States on the issue of POTO, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress President and Chief Ministers interact on various issues. Since Prime Minister has called a meeting of Chief Ministers in Delhi, naturally when they are in town, they are going to interact with the Congress President.

- Tom Vadakkan
Media Secretary