Stung by the BJP’s criticism on UPA Government’s ninth anniversary, the Congress on Wednesday retaliated by blaming the Opposition of playing negative and irresponsible politics, lacking vision and accountability. It even predicted that the BJP would sit in the Opposition for a third consecutive term.
The Congress, which had cancelled a briefing earlier in view of the dinner organised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, hurriedly called a Press conference to rebut charges.
Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury blamed the Opposition for stalling Parliament, thereby creating hurdles in passage of Food Security and land Acquisition Bills. She said BJP’s thirst for power and ego was larger than its commitment to the good of common people.
Instead of Parliament, BJP leaders are more interested in having debate on television, according to Chowdhury, who added that the BJP’s TV serial would continue even after 2014 as it will continue as Opposition. Accusing the BJP of having tunnel vision, Chowdhury said the party had not contributed anything to policies. It has great division in the rank and file of the part which lack cohesiveness with individual leaders greedy for power, she charged.
However, when asked about the division between the Congress and the Government, Chowdhury asserted that there was no dichotomy at all, insisting it was all an illusion created by the Opposition party.
While highlighting the achievements of the UPA Government during the past nine years, via various legislations, the Congress spokesperson became defensive on the issue of corruption, especially the 2G spectrum scam, Commonwealth Games and Coalgate, affecting image and credibility of the Government.
Admitting that former Telecom Minister A Raja had to go to jail and some Ministers like Pawan Bansal and Ashwani Kumar had to resign, she put up a brave front and said the UPA did not tolerate anyone indulging in corruption. She claimed that the UPA had taken maximum measures against graft and built the foundation of the anti-corruption movement by giving the RTI hammer to the people.
Chowdhury admitted the Trinamool Congress and DMK leaving the UPA was a matter of concern, but said every party has its compulsions. The Congress wants dignity and respect of all allies to be maintained, she added.
Chowdhury explained away the Congress compromising with the DMK despite its sympathies to lTTE - which was involved in Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination - and even including NCP, despite its leader Sharad Pawar openly speaking about the foreign origin of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. She said the Congress was a large-hearted organisation.
Despite facing personal criticism, the Congress leadership takes decision for the benefit of the people, she noted.