New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi reassured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after her son Rahul Gandhi called the ordinance to protect convicted legislators "complete nonsense" and said that it should be torn and thrown away. Sources say Sonia called up Manmohan, who is in the US for the UNGA session, and told him that he was very important and there is no intention to undermine his position.
Even Rahul Gandhi tried to sound a conciliatory note after his explosive comments at a Congress press conference in New Delhi on Friday afternoon. The Congress Vice President issued a statement later and said that he has the highest regard for Manmohan Singh and he looks up to him for his wisdom.
"I realize that what I feel about the Ordinance is not in harmony with the Cabinet decision and the Core Group's view. I also know it would be exploited by our political opponents. You know that I have the highest respect for you and I look up to you for your wisdom. I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the manner in which you are providing leadership in extremely difficult circumstances. I hope you will understand the strength of my own conviction about this very controversial issue," Rahul said in a communication to the Prime Minister.
Earlier in the day, Rahul' sudden appearance at a Congress press conference where party spokesperson Ajay Maken was defending the UPA Cabinet decision to clear an ordinance to save convicted legislators and his comments criticising the stand sent the government as well as his party into a tizzy.
Stung by Rahul's statement against the ordinance, the Prime Minister said that issues raised by him will be taken up for consideration by the Union Cabinet when he returns back to India. The Prime Minister issued a statement saying Rahul had written to him on the ordinance.
"The Ordinance cleared by the Cabinet pertaining to the Representation of the People Act has been a matter of much public debate. The Congress Vice-President has also written to me on the issue and also made a statement. The Government is seized of all these developments. The issues raised will be considered on my return to India after due deliberations in the Cabinet," the Prime Minister said in a statement.
After Rahul's statement, the pressure in on the government to withdraw the ordinance, sources said on Friday. Sources added that the decision on the ordinance will be taken soon.
Rahul Gandhi openly opposed the ordinance on Friday saying it was a complete nonsense. He said, "The ordinance is a complete nonsense, should be torn and thrown away. All parties do this because of political considerations and we must stop making political compromises."
Minutes before Rahul's statement, Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken was defending the ordinance. "I think the ordinance was brought up by many wise and experienced leaders. As far as the differences in opinion within the Congress is concerned, I think it shows that we respect internal democracy. Everybody is entitled to having his own opinion."
Earlier, Congress leaders Sandeep Dikshit, Milind Deora and Anil Shastri also spoke against the ordinance. Sandeep Dikshit said, "While I believe that the ordinance that has now come and has kind of clarified many of them but I personally believe that it is something that should initially go to the standing committee."
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party had also met President Pranab Mukherjee asking him not to sign the ordinance. AAP even questioned the urgency in passing the ordinance.
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