Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday severely criticised both the RSS and the BJP for trying to foment trouble for the government by giving logistical support to the “anti-corruption movement” to “settle scores” as the Congress hasd raised its voice against right-wing extremism.
“We are seeing a trend from 2009 that those political parties are trying to destabilise the parliamentary process. They have made it a practice of creating ruckus in each and every session of Parliament,” Mr Mukherjee said, adding that the RSS was trying to settle its scores as the Congress had raised its voice against the RSS’ links with extremism.
Going a step further, Mr Mukherjee even equated the present political scenario in the country with the early 1970s, when the then Indira Gandhi government had imposed Emergency. “Although it is not exactly the same, there are some similarities too,” Mr Mukherjee said. But then he quickly added: “But I can assure you that there will be no repetition of the Emergency.”
Mr Mukherjee’s assertions appear to be part of a two-pronged strategy — intended to blunt the campaign by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev as well as to take on the Opposition, particularly the BJP, which has latched on to the hungerstrikes by civil society activists to attack the government for inaction over corruption.
Significantly, the Congress has launched a campaign vis-à-vis the anti-corruption movement by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev, and accused a section of civil society of trying to weaken democratic institutions. “The Constitution has entrusted the power to legislate only to Parliament and the state Assemblies. If 5,000 or 6,000 people dictate from outside what Parliament ought to do, this will weaken democracy,” the finance minister said at a press conference here.
Mr Mukherjee also released a document in English with his party’s views on the issue, saying the Congress was launching an awareness campaign across the country. Referring to Mr Hazare’s August 15 deadline for passing the Lokpal Bill, Mr Mukherjee said the Centre had suggested the Lokpal Bill be placed in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. “It is not possible, however, to give a deadline by when the bill will be passed,” he reasoned.
Mr Mukherjee also rejected Mr Hazare’s demand for videography of the Lokpal Bill drafting process, saying this could not be done as otherwise drafting committee members could not express their views “freely”. “Every word is audiotaped. When required, these may be published,” he noted, adding that the audio-recording of every drafting committee meeting was available on the website of the department of personnel. “If people are interested, these can be heard from the websites,” he said.
Asked why the government had earlier held talks with Mr Hazare and Baba Ramdev, Mr Mukherjee remarked: “We gave them a chance because if you do not talk to them, you will be accused of arrogance. Now that you have talked, it is said that you are weak.”