AICC Diary

3.9.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. Shri Reddy read out from a press statement that was distributed to the press, copy is enclosed. Copies of the A. P. Election Committee and Condolence Message on the death of Shri Ashok Kamath was distributed to the press. To a pointed question on whether the entry of R. P. Rudy is a precursor to the entry of George Fernandes into the Union Cabinet, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we do not approve of any person who is figuring in Tehelka tapes being accommodated and rehabilitated in any way. We shall oppose such a move, tooth and nail.

Asked whether the Chief Minister of Rajasthan was questioned about saffronised textbooks in his State, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we do not know whether the Chief Minister was spoken to. This matter only shows how the BJP tampers with history wherever it comes to power. Perhaps, it is only a case of oversight that the textbooks were not corrected.

On being asked why Congress Chief Ministers were not allowed to attend the conference of non-BJP Chief Ministers on saffronisation of education, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that whether a CM attends or the concerned Minister attends, it is participation of the Government in the conference. There was also representation of two NDA State Governments in the conference. If more Congress Chief Ministers could not attend, it was because of their schedules.

5.9.2001 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. (The briefing was primarily in Hindi, interspersed with brief statements in English.) Shri Sharma said that the BJP having lost popular support in UP is conscious of its impending rout. It is a party which has nothing to show in UP as far as achievements are concerned. The Government in Lucknow is perceived to be corrupt and inept. The BJP and Sangh Parivar have fallen back on their old tactics of using communalism and casteism as tools to create tension in UP. The announcements that are being made, allurements that are being doled out by the UP Chief Minister and in this context, statements of the Prime Minister in Lucknow makes it very clear that BJP Government having failed on all accounts is trying to create communal tension. In the coming months the programmes and announcements are likely to be increased to divert the attention of the people from its failures in Lucknow and non-performance at the Centre.

Shri Sharma said that news reports regarding the SP Prisons at Baramulla, Shri Abdul Rashid are shocking. Both from the point of view of police officers facing militancy and from the humanitarian angle, this action against a senior police officer is inhuman and lamentable. This will lead to a fall in the morale of the police force in Jammu and Kashmir. The Special Secretary Home writing from here said that this officer should not go unpunished. Shri Rashid’s security cover has been withdrawn and he has been thrown to the wolves. Is this the manner in which the Government wants to deal with the situation in the valley? The Home Minister himself must intervene and come forward to take action against the erring officials.

Asked for the Congress Party’s stand on reservations for MBCs in UP, Shri Anand Sharma said that we have always stood for affirmative action especially for the economically backward sections. The Congress Party and Congress Governments have always taken initiative to empower them. The move by the UP Government is nothing but cheap gimmickry in view of the UP elections. If the BJP Government in UP had any serious concern for the Backward Sections, they had four years to do so.

7.9.2001 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. (The briefing was primarily in Hindi, interspersed with brief statements in English.)Shri Sharma said that the Government is trying to cover up by saying that the deaths were not due to starvation but food poisoning. The very fact that people were forced to eat mango kernel underscores the fact that people had no rice or food-grain. Today BPL cards, wherever they have been issued, have been mortgaged to the moneylenders. According to the latest information, only yesterday the printing of the BPL cards started. So the claim that the people have been identified and the BPL cards issued is absolutely incorrect. We had repeatedly raised the issue of drought affected people and immigration of people from rural to urban areas when several major states face drought. We had asked the Government on many occasions, many months ago that they should have an emergency plan to deal with the situation. It is a matter of shame and shock that in times of plenty when we are talking of an IT revolution and we are talking of the rapid strides that the country has made, despite granaries being full, food-grain is rotting and people are dying of starvation. This Government even after the Supreme Court’s directive as to what should have been done and what is required to be done, must explain why it has failed to take any such steps. The food for work programme has not started. Earlier the Congress President accompanied by the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States had met the Prime Minister and submitted a memorandum. We demand a white-paper from the Government on the situation prevailing in Orissa and other drought-affected states, about the availability of food-grains, the reasons for non-distribution and the reason for not heeding to the repeated demands for a nationwide food for work Government.

To a question on what the last Congress Government did in Orissa, Shri Anand Sharma said that it was the Congress Party which cares for the poor and downtrodden, and it was the Congress Party that started a scheme for issuing cards to BPL people. The present Orissa Government has to answer why the programmes started by the Congress Government are not being implemented by the NDA Government.

Asked why the Congress Government in Orissa had not issued BPL cards, Shri Anand Sharma said that the population has increased since then. Also the severe drought has affected a larger area and more people have been pushed below the poverty line due to the economic situation in the country. These people have not been identified and not been issued identity cards.

On being asked whether the Congress Party has changed its stand on saffronisation of education, Shri Anand Sharma said that our stand is consistent and clear. What we had stated earlier we would like to mention once again. The issue is a larger one, the BJP and NDA Government have embarked on a systematic campaign of tinkering with the established system of education which has the support of a national consensus. The integrity of reputed institutions like the ICHR and the ICSSR, which are entrusted with the responsibility of writing and interpreting the history of this country, has been compromised with the planned induction of the RSS academics and sympathisers. The Congress Party has been clear in its understanding that all this has been done in furtherance of the agenda of the Sangh Parivar to communalise the education system with the pernicious objective of poisoning young minds. And it is in this backdrop that the Congress Party had articulated its concern at the attempts to distort history and rewriting of the text books in an unequivocal manner. Certainly, the Congress Party is resolutely determined to resist any attempts aimed towards the imposition of narrow divisive and sectarian values. This has been our approach and understanding. There is no dichotomy, no contradiction on what the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and the Kerala Chief Minister has said and what the Party policy is. The Congress Chief Ministers had also responded to a call for a meeting by the West Bengal Chief Minister. The Madhya Pradesh Government was not only represented there by its Education Minister and is party to the resolution. All the Congress Governments stand by that resolution.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has amply clarified in writing what he has said and what he stands for. He is categorical in his assertion that his Government is committed to the resolution of the non-NDA Chief Ministers. What he has said is that nothing should be prescribed even in the context of vedic astrology. He has spoken against imposition and forcible induction of anything in the curriculum. About the study of Jyotirvigyan, Mr. Digvijay Singh has written that if someone wants to study it, he is free to do so but it should not be imposed. Astrology has been in the country from thousands of years. People have their horoscopes prepared and read. It should not be imposed. On being asked to whom had the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister written the letter, Shri Anand Sharma said that since this controversy was created, a letter was written by Sahmat seeking his response. He has adequately clarified that there is no contradiction between the Congress Party’s policy and his stand.

Asked for a reaction on the CBI’s report on Shri Priyaranjan Dasmunshi’s letter, Shri Anand Sharma said that we have seen the reports. The letter and the matter rests before a committee of the House. The Privileges Committee of the Rajya Sabha is besieged of the matter. On being asked whether astrology should be in the curriculum or not, Shri Anand Sharma said that whosoever voluntarily wishes can study the subject but it has not been in the UGC curriculum and should not be imposed in it.

10.9.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that whatever the Prime Minister stated in an interview today to one of the national dailies, amounts to admission of all the major criticisms we have been making against his Government for the last three years. He has admitted that his Government had been struggling to survive and attain stability only. He has admitted that his Government has been weak on the administrative front, that his Government has been a prisoner of internal pressures and his own family and his own PMO have been the target of accusations from within more than from outside. This is the kind of governance the NDA led by Mr. Vajpayee, who promised able and stable Government, has been providing for the country. Now he says he will be firm and focussed on governance. We can only wish him good luck. It can be seen that Mr. Vajpayee is facing more pressure from inside his Sangh Parivar than the emasculated NDA partners.

Asked for a reaction on the Prime Minister’s statement that he wants understanding with the Congress Party on economic issues, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that no opposition party in the history of independent India has been more constructive in its cooperation to the Government in respect of legislation matters. We cooperated with the Government in regard to abolition of FERA, in adoption of FEMA, in regard to the Insurance Bill. Mr. Vajpayee of course suffers from selective amnesia, doesn’t want to remember the gestures of cooperation that we extended. As for Reforms, we are committed but we have our own understanding of Reforms. As for the Labour Reforms proposal as outlined by the Finance Minister amounts to sheer hire and fire policy. This is not a viable policy in a developing country, which does not have extensive social safety net. We made it clear through our resolution at Bangalore that we will not be able to cooperate on this issue. Let us turn-around and ask the Prime Minister before he seeks cooperation from us, he must secure cooperation on this issue from Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh first. Only then will he have the moral right to approach us.

On being asked for a reaction on the Prime Minister’s statement that he understands Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s compulsions, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we don’t have any compulsions of any kind. Whenever we have certain ideological positions, which are in conformity with their legislative proposals, we extend our support. We passed the resolution in Bangalore not because of any political compulsions but because of ideological impulsions.

To a question on the presence of similar Labour Laws in Maharashtra and in economic zones, Shri Reddy said that in China such labour policies are confined to special economic zones. We are a billion strong nation, India cannot be converted into a vast special economic zone. In America such policies are pursued because of an extensive social net that they have. We are against any policy which leads to indiscriminate hiring and firing. This does not happen in vast parts of Western Europe.

On being pointed out that Shri Jairam Ramesh has supported Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia’s Labour proposals, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that Shri Jairam Ramesh is a noted economist in his own right, therefore he must have expressed his view in his personal capacity. Only the other day, he appeared on TV with Shri Balram Jakhar and the anchor said that Shri Ramesh did not represent the Congress Party.

To a question on whether or not Shri Jairam Ramesh is the Economic Adviser of the Congress President, Shri Reddy said that he is Secretary of the AICC Economic Cell. He is also a noted economist and columnist. All his views are not necessarily the views of the Congress Party.

Asked whether the Congress President has demanded an explanation from Shri Digvijay Singh on his statement on astrology, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that those are internal matters of the party. Astrologers are consulted in many Indian homes. Whether astrology satisfies the rigours criteria of Science is a thing that should be left to eminent scientists. In today’s context, when BJP led Government is widely perceived to be pursuing its core communal agenda, we as a party do not favour introduction of astrology through UGC. This is our party’s stand. As for Shri Digvijay Singh’s position, he said in his letter that it was his personal belief. In the same letter he also says he stands by the resolution passed earlier. We are opposed to patronage of astrology by UGC. Take for example the position taken by Rabindra Bharati University, a cheque for Rs. 15 lacs was given to the University for promotion of astrology as a subject. The University rejected the offer.

On being asked if the introduction of astrology is a part of saffronisation of education, Shri Reddy said that the real subject is the communalisation of education, history is being tampered with, new courses are being introduced in States where BJP is in office. They are sowing the seeds of hatred into the curriculum.

17.9.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we would like to place on record our unqualified condemnation of the terrorist incidents in New York and Washington. We share the anguish and anger of Americans in this hour of grief. It is a matter of concern that one Sikh has been shot dead on account of mistaken identity. At the same time we appreciate the promptitude with which American authorities acting to prevent harm being done to Sikhs and other innocents.

Asked if Congress extended support to any move by the Government to provide logistical support to the Americans, Shri Reddy said that these questions are hypothetical. The Government of India has clarified that the American Government sought no assistance.

To a question on reports that the Foreign Minister had said that logistical support was sought, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that Dr. Manmohan Singh told him that the Foreign Minister denied that part of his statement. Shri Reddy said the Government and the nation can decide only if assistance is sought. To the best of our knowledge the moral support of India has been sought and that has been given by all political parties. How can India give unsolicited assistance? Why are we so anxious to get involved?

Asked if a meeting of the Congress Working Committee is to be held on this issue, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress President is likely to have informal consultations with all senior leaders in the next twenty-four hours.

To a question on whether the Government of India should use this opportunity to strike at training-camps in POK, Shri Reddy said that as the Congress Party is in the opposition it does not have the required inputs, it is for the Government of the day to take a position on such issues.

21.9.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Asked for a reaction on the Supreme Court’s judgment on Ms. Jayalalitha, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we do not make political comments on the judgments delivered by the Supreme Court. Ms. Jayalalitha is a leader of a friendly party, AIADMK. AIADMK on its own has absolute majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The practical implications of the Supreme Court judgement will be handled by AIADMK internally. We consider it an internal matter of the AIADMK. Shri Reddy said we don’t sit on judgment over a judgment of the Supreme Court.

Asked if the Congress Party’s alliance with the AIADMK will continue, Shri Reddy said that the AIADMK has been our friendly party since 1999, we have fought elections together in 1999 and 2000.

To a question on the grey areas of the Constitution, Shri Reddy said that there are grey areas in the Constitution. Political parties do not react in haste to Supreme Court judgment. If there are grey areas in the Constitution they will have to be examined by political parties.

To a question on why the Congress Party had supported the Governor’s decision at that time, Shri Reddy said that we made no comment at that time. Asked what is the Congress Party’s advice to the AIADMK, Shri Reddy said that we are not in the habit of tendering unwarranted advice to our alliance partners. To a question on whether the Congress Party welcomes the judgment, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Congress has noted the judgment.

24.9.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the lifting of sanctions by the United States on India does not go far enough. The lifting should have been more comprehensive, for example, on dual use technologies/ sanctions could have been lifted straightaway. We consider this to be nothing more than a goodwill gesture. Shri Reddy said that whenever India was denied technologies, it has been able to fill up those gaps with indigenous technology, thanks to our scientists.

To a question on the Congress Party’s loss in the Tonk Parliamentary constituency by-election, Shri Reddy said that we are generally satisfied with the by-elections results. We have retained all the seats we had. In addition we have won a very significant Assembly seat, Sabarmati in Gujarat, which is a part of Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency held by Mr. Advani. In the Lok Sabha elections, BJP had won this Assembly segment by 23,000 votes, in this by-election we won by 18,000 votes. It is a part of Gandhinagar constituency and Mr. Advani as Home Minister exerted all his weight to secure a 1,200 crore bail-out package after the collapse of the Madhavpura Cooperative Bank. None of these factors prevented the BJP’s rout.

Asked if the Rajasthan defeat is a reflection on the State Government’s performance, Shri Reddy said that no by-election result can be considered a reflection on a State Government, be it ruled by the Congress or any other party. In Gujarat, a series of bye-elections have been won by us which is a reflection on the pro-Congress stand of the people of Gujarat.

26.9.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. Shri Reddy said that the Congress Party raised the question of scandalous import of wheat from Australia in the 12th Lok Sabha. It was in 1998 that this issue was raised, the then Minister, Mr. Barnala made a promise in Parliament that he would entrust the matter to the CBI. The CBI has at long last filed FIR in the Court. According to the available information, the import was severely faulted by the CBI on a number of grounds. One was that this import was not required at all. Secondly, even if it was required, the wheat could have been secured from Europe at a lower price. The third ground was, Australia itself supplied wheat to other countries at a lower price, than at the rate on which wheat was supplied to India. The CBI felt that a criminal conspiracy was hatched to cause a huge loss to the country’s exchequer.

Shri Reddy said that we do not know why the CBI took more than two years to arrive at some of these obvious conclusions. The CBI itself is guilty of inordinate and avoidable delay. Among the people mentioned in the FIR, is the present CMD of the State Trading Corporation, Shri SM Diwan. He has all along continued to be CMD. We demand that the CMD of the STC at least be immediately dismissed. We would also like the CBI to explain the delay that has occurred. The CBI should at least indicate the time-frame in which charge-sheet will be filed against all those guilty in this matter.

Asked if it was strange that the political masters behind the scam were not named, only the bureaucrats are named, Shri Reddy said0 that we certainly find the missing of names of politicians strange and untenable.

Shri Reddy said that it is unfortunate that the Prime Minister has chosen to regard persistent reports of starvation deaths as ‘malicious propaganda’ by the press. It is not a party matter. These phenomena are seen in various parts of the country. Such reports have been frequent and continual. The occurrence of starvation deaths is a matter of shame, to ignore it, is a crime. What the Government of India should do is to acknowledge this unfortunate phenomenon unhesitatingly and provide a comprehensive plan to redeem the country’s honour. There is no point in covering up these things on the pretext of false theatrical pride. The Supreme Court is ceased of the matter, both the Government of India and State Governments have been filing their affidavits. We totally disapprove of the ostrich-like attitude of the Prime Minister to this burning issue. We request the Prime Minister not to attribute motives to the media for highlighting this tragedy.

Asked about the likely stand of the Congress Party at tomorrow’s all-party meeting, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we will take a view in the light of the briefing by the Government. It is the Government, which has access to all the inputs on this highly explosive issue.

                  - Tom Vadakkan, Media Secretary