The Congress on Monday denied that its decision to support the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi was a “blunder” and declared that it would not reconsider it in a hurry. It, however, criticised AAP and its Law Minister Somnath Bharti for mocking President Pranab Mukherjee’s address on Republic Day eve saying his comments were “unfortunate.”
“While arriving at the decision (to support AAP), various factors were taken into consideration… we will be keeping a complete watch on all developments,’’ said party spokesperson Mukul Wasnik while responding to whether the party was not regretting having supported AAP in the first place.
On how the Congress viewed the situation in Delhi a month after AAP government was formed, Mr. Wasnik said “everything is before the people” and it is for them to take the decision. “We won’t say how successful they have been.”
However, the Congress general secretary added that AAP had not fulfilled the promises for which his party had given support.
“We had supported the AAP government to ensure that people’s needs were fulfilled. We supported them on issues and we will keep patience,” he said, adding that there was no deadline which the Congress has set itself to reconsider the support. He said it was now for AAP to decide as to what are its priorities.
To a question on Congress extending support to Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi whose Law Minister Somnath Bharti tweeted during the day that anarchy was 1984, and not the agitation carried out by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Mr. Wasnik said the political statements from AAP leaders in the last few days have taken a different shape when compared to such statements from other political parties.
“It is unfortunate that somebody has commented on the President of India’s speech and we condemn the same in the strongest possible words. As far as extending support to them is concerned, we had taken this decision keeping in mind the welfare of the people so that they are not burdened with unnecessary Assembly election.”
Mr. Wasnik also criticised AAP for mocking the President’s address on the eve of Republic Day. He termed the incident as “very unfortunate”. It has shown how the government made fun of a constitutional authority, he observed.
The Congress leader said the President of India has had long years of experience in public life and was known for his “statesman like approach.” He carries a “lot of wisdom” and it is not proper on part of anyone to comment like this. His words were meant to provide guidance for running the country, he noted.
