Cong declines to comment on privilege notices against Puri,

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Congress Monday refrained from
commenting on privilege notices against film actor Om Puri and
civil society activist Kiran Bedi by several Members of
Parliament(MPs) for using "derogatory and defamatory" language
against politicians.
But party leaders privately admitted that a confrontation
should be avoided with the civil society at this stage when a
resolution has been arrived on the Lokpal(anti-corruption
ombudsman) issue.
"These are the issues firstly with the Chair in both
Houses and then could be before the privilege committee. For
me, to be commenting upon it will itself be a breach of
privilege," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.
However, senior leaders, while acklowedging that the
members's anger at the use of "intemperate" language against
them by the activists was understandable, said it will not be
wise to rake up old issues now.
They also said the matter should end now as the civil
society activists had hailed Parliament and MPs from the stage
in Ramlila Ground at the end of the standoff between Anna
Hazare and government and Om Puri also expressed regret.
A Union minister from Congress, speaking on the
condition of anonymity, said it would be better if the members
withrew their notices.
Another minister said more than the statements of Team
Anna from the stage a few days ago, it's the repeat of
similar remarks by them in media interviews, that is provoking
the MPs.
At the All India Congress Committee (AICC) briefing,
Singhvi said, "living up in present and looking positively to
future is much more than digging up the past. Recrimination
rarely yields creative or positive results."