New Delhi: AICC general secretary Rahul
Gandhi on Thursday came out in support of the government on the
Indo-Pak joint statement stating that the "government and
party are absolutely one".
He dismissed suggestions of any difference between the
party and the government over the statement and sought to put
the blame on media for creating such an impression.
His comments assume importance as opposition members in
parliamentary debate alleged that Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh was not backed by his own party on the issue.
"Government and party are absolutely one...You media have
created such an impression," Gandhi told reporters outside
Parliament when asked about differences between the party and
the government over the joint statement signed by Singh and
his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani on July 16 in
Egypt.
Gandhi`s remarks came hours after the Congress
Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting in which party President
Sonia Gandhi, in a carefully-worded statement, made it clear
that there was no question of resumption of dialogue with
Pakistan till it acts against those mounting terror attacks
against India.
"No one should be in any doubt on our party`s position
vis-a-vis Pakistan. It remains unchanged. We supported the
resumption of the dialogue process with Pakistan only after it
has demonstrated its seriousness to bring the perpetrators of
the Mumbai terror attacks to justice and prevent its territory
from being used to launch terror attacks on any part of our
territory," Sonia said.
She at the same time appreciated the statement of the
Prime Minister on the issue in Lok Sabha yesterday and
described it "firm and unequivocal".
Congress today asked the
opposition parties` not to see the controversial Indo-Pak
joint statement from the perspective of Pakistan`s
understanding or interpretation of the document.
"Two issues remain immutable and eternal. First, there
can be no question of lack of concrete steps against terrorism
going hand in hand with talks.
"Secondly, there is absolutely no question of any
admission regarding Balochistan," party spokesman Abhishek
Singhvi said.
He said the opposition must necessarily proceed on the
basis of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s and ruling party`s
official clarification and "not on the basis of Pakistan`s
understanding or interpretation".
Bureau Report
