This Article is From Oct 24, 2014

'Modi Government has Done Nothing New': Chidambaram on Black Money Row

'Modi Government has Done Nothing New': Chidambaram on Black Money Row
New Delhi: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram spoke to NDTV on a range of issues, from  the black money row to coal reforms. Here are the highlights: 

  • The Modi government has done nothing new.
  • Can't link Congress to individual leaders with Swiss accounts.
  • Taking credit is the advantage of a successor government.
  • Congress name on black money list could be individual transgression.
  • Not the party, individual named will be embarrassed.
  • BJP position on black money identical to that of the Congress.
  • Government's affidavit in Supreme Court on black money was a U-turn from the BJP's position.
  • The BJP doesn't have the grace to admit it did a U-turn on black money.
  • Even UPA said it will disclose names once charges are filed.
  • BJP criticised our stand; now they are taking the same position on black money.
  • We disclosed 18 black money names to Supreme Court.
  • We pushed Swiss authorities to enter into agreement to disclose names.
  • Raised the issue in G20; final declaration spoke of information sharing.
  • Elections were announced before we could have a written agreement.
  • I did not ask to see, nor was I shown the black money names.
  • Jaitley wanted to move from black money to blackmail; why not release the name.
  • If an individual has violated the law, the individual assumes responsibility.
  • Any government in power for 10-15 years is bound to face corruption allegations.
  • Excesses of individuals leave a stain on the government as a whole.
  • I don't know the facts of Vadra case; I can't comment on it.
  • Vadra case never came to the Finance Ministry formally
  • May be Vadra case created a perception for the Congress
  • The government's decision on coal leaves a lot to be desired.
  • The Supreme Court order on coal largely right; but several areas have have thrown up new problems
  • Supreme Court order gave a chance to clean up coal sector without compromising Coal India
  • Barring mines that Coal India needs; all other mines should have opened up.
  • Ours was a coalition government; there was no consensus on coal reforms.
  • Congress morale is low, leadership needs to respond urgently
  • Congress reorganisation long overdue; must start soonest.
  • Nobody has asked anybody to be a sycophant in the party.
  • Sonia Gandhi most acceptable Congress leader; amongst youth it's Rahul Gandhi.
  • A non-Gandhian can be Congress president in the future. As long as Sonia Gandhi is Congress president, she is numero uno.
  • Government has scored heavily on propaganda; strategy and policy are missing.
  • We dealt with Pakistan with far greater maturity and sobriety.
  • PM's focus has been more on domestic constituency.
  • PM visit to Japan didn't yield agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.
  • PM's meet with President Xi yielded few Gujarat-specific agreements.

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