Highlight of the Press briefing Held at 1615 Hours on 25.07.2008

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed addressed the media today.

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said that this afternoon between 1.30 and 2 five or six bomb blasts took place in Bangalore.

The Congress President has condemned the serial bomb blasts in Bangalore and has said that it is a cowardly act and people who want to disrupt the peace of the country and of that region are basically behind the blasts. She has also offered her condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and injured in this blast.

The Congress Party is with the people of Bangalore and Karnataka in this hour of grief.

Dr. Ahmed also condemned the attack on the houses of MPs, who had supported the Government during the Confidence Vote in the Parliament, by their own party men. It's unfortunate that a responsible party like the BJP had supported and justified such attacks in its official press briefing. It was said that they can either go to the police station or 10 Janpath or the Prime Minister's residence at Race Course Road. This is clear provocation to give fire to terrorism and violence.

The Congress Party condemns such statements of the BJP and we expect that a responsible political party should take back such statements and apologize to the Members of Parliament on whose houses the attack was carried out by their own party men. In a democracy, violence has no place. There are still such MPs who voted against the Government but no one attacked them. This clearly shows the tolerance level of such political parties and how much their belief in the democratic values.

To a question, Dr. Ahmed said the BJP has blamed the Central Government for blasts in its official briefing. Everyone knows that law and order is a State subject. It's very unfortunate that in this hour of grief and crisis the BJP is playing politics.

To a question on presentation of cash on the table of House during the Confidence vote, Dr. Ahmed said it is for the Lok Sabha Speaker to decide what kind of inquiry should take place into the episode. He said there have been several rumours floating as to where the money came from. It is alleged that the notes had the stamp of Bank of Indore and have been traced to a business associate of the wife of a chief minister. To another question, he said it is for the speaker to decide whether the tapes of sting operation should be telecast or not.

To another question, Dr. Ahmed said that the Shri Ahmed Patel has said that if anyone can prove his involvement in this episode he would quit politics. Therefore, the case has nothing to do with Shri Ahmed Patel. And all the facts would come before you after the probe.

To another question, he said the Congress President and many other leaders had visited the Speaker Mr. Somnath Chatterjee to wish him many happy returns on his birthday.

To a question on Cabinet reshuffle, Dr. Ahmed said it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister.