Jairam Ramesh apologises

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 15. The secretary of AICC's economic cell, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, has apologised to the party for the embarrassment caused by his remarks against Ms. Sonia Gandhi. The apology was contained in his reply to a letter from the AICC general secretary, Mr. Oscar Fernandes, asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

Mr. Ramesh explained that the interview (to the foreign magazine which carried the remarks) had been ``informal and unrecorded'', had been torn out of context and misinterpreted. His elucidation of the positive contributions of the party president had not been included.

He emphasised that it had not been his intention to raise the banner of revolt. ``My objective remains to work, in my own little, humble way, under the leadership of the Congress(I) president to strengthen the Congress party.'' The AICC spokesperson, Mrs. Margaret Alva, later said Mr. Ramesh had met Ms. Gandhi two days ago and the issue now rested with her.

The Congress(I) also recorded its objection to the ad hocism in disinvestment of public sector companies. Demanding that the government must come out with a comprehensive disinvestment policy, Mrs. Alva charged that PSUs were being auctioned at throwaway prices.

Referring to the Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO) Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha today, she said the Government had gone ahead with the proposal to disinvest from IISCO though the parliamentary standing committee had rejected the proposal.

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Section  : National
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