Press Breifing Wednesday, 20th Jan 2010

Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.

Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that we appeal through you to all sections to try their utmost to maintain peace and harmony in Andhra Pradesh on the Telengana issue. We would like to submit that it requires an act of statesmanship to rise above narrower personal choices and preferences in the interests of that State and in the interests of the nation. Each stakeholder, from whatever part of that State, owes it to himself and to the State to ensure that passions are not inflamed and that violence is prevented at all costs. Everybody knows that an active comprehensive process to elicit views and generate consensus to the extent possible is under way. Nothing should be done to muddy those waters. If we cannot provide the healing touch, there is no reason for us to provide a dividing touch or a scorching touch. Each group and interest stakeholder must contribute affirmatively at the minimum so far as issues of violence and harm to property and life is concerned and we hope and trust that it is in this positive constructive spirit that everyone will respond. This is in particular important because Andhra Pradesh happens to be one of the most vibrant, prosperous and one of the most dynamic States and it would be a sad reality if this kind of violence was to affect the very proud heritage existence of that State.

On the question of the already stated position on the sugar prices, Shri Singhvi said that we have said earlier also and would like to repeat in the context of the question that while there may be undoubtedly a problem because of physical and product constraints, demand supply gaps etc., it is equally important to ensure that those who identify the problem must necessarily work towards providing an expeditious solution as well. We hope and trust that this will be the approach and further hoped that this will not be allowed to escalate. Shri Singhvi added that this will be a perverse approach to say that prices increase after a statement is issued. We do not deny that there may be a problem and it is our duty to find a solution to it.

On a further related question on the price rise issue that the Government is not listening to the congress party, Shri Singhvi said that this is a very serious issue and the Congress party is concerned about it. Government is making all out efforts and said that we would like to see the results of the efforts being made by the Government.

On being asked whether the view point of the Government on Bundelkhand has changed after Shri Rahul Gandhi has not expressed any keenness in the matter, Shri Singhvi said that it is to attack that malaise in those areas that all his development programmes are focused. Shri Singhvi said that Shri Rahul Gandhi is least bothered about the constitutional set up and is interested in the results of the concrete actions.

On the question of Maharashtra Government following in the foot steps of Raj Thackrey on the issue of grant of licenses to the taxi drivers in Maharashtra who knows Marathi only, Shri Singhvi said that under Rule 24 of the Motor Vehicle Rules of 1989 it is necessary to have the basic working knowledge of Marathi. There is no amendment to the existing one. The Government has only reinforced the old rule and has reiterated the same in their resolution. There is need to implement the rules.

On the question whether Congress led UPA Government is responsible for the whole mess in Andhra Pradesh as far as Telengana issue is concerned, Shri Singhvi said that it is a free country and people can be entitled even to perverse opinions. You are seeing a very measured, calibrated and a very carefully considered response in a very comprehensive process. Let us not over simplify the things and give one liners. There is a process going on and we all owe it to ourselves and to the people of Andhra to contribute to that process rather than look for quick fix magic button solution.

On the question whether there is any possibility to make any announcement before 28th of this month on Telengana issue, Shri Singhvi told the media not to try to encapsulate as important and complex an issue as Telegana into the straight jacket of deadlines, time capsules, one liners or quick fix solutions. Shri Singhvi further said that there is absolutely no proposal either way of any kind on any other region. When we talk of Telengana, it is completely different issue and please do not mix it, relate it or hyphenate it with any other region.

On the question of Governor of Andhra taking over the law and order in that State, Shri Singhvi said that the constitution of India does not permit Governor to take any law and order function. There is a constitutionally elected Government in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister is elected by the MLAs and requested the media not to harbor any misgivings because there is an incident in Osmania which we have condemned and requested the media not to jump to conclusions.

On the question of absence of Ms Mamata Banerjee in Calcutta when Sonia Gandhi had visited and whether it was deliberate, Shri Singhvi said that it all depends on the convenience, coordination and the strategies and requested the media not to draw their own inferences and not to read too much in it. Shri Singhvi further said that the media will witness in the near future that there will be a coalition Government of Congress and Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

On the question of the reaction of the Congress party on Sanskrit being adopted the second language in Uttarakhand, Shri Singhvi said that these are the matters of the State level. We are a federal country. Do not expect the Congress party to comment on every thing. These are the matters which has State specific. Let us first leave it to the reaction of the State Congress party. If something is within the jurisdiction of the State Government, whether it is right or wrong, we have very strong State Units. We will react after we have the full view of that matter.

On the question of Himachal CD, Shri Singhvi said that if you prosecute somebody on the basis of 20 years old CD, the question of political motivation will definitely arise. This is a serious issue in a small State where there are only two MPs. Impartial investigation needs to be conducted and it would not be wrong if the investigation is done by the CBI.

On the question of declaring 44 deemed universities being unfit to continue in the country by the Central Government, Shri Singhvi requested the media not to generalize the issue There is no question of saying that most of these are controlled by politicians. You have to deal individual unit-wise and institution-wise. If there is any wrong doing, please do not personalize immediately. These are institutional matters and matters of policy and governance. The report of the Task Force suggests a lot of acts of omissions. It requires in depth investigation. The Hon'ble Supreme Court is doing it. It will do it further. It requires a healing touch and rehabilitative touch for the students. Shri Singhvi said that all these objectives will be comprehensively addressed.

Tom Vadakkan

Secretary, AICC