People's Democracy

Our Democracy At Work

Responding to external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee's reply to the debate in Rajya Sabha, Sitaram Yechury made the following remarks:

I compliment the external affairs minister for the valiant effort that he has made. But I must confess that he has left me not fully convinced. So, my opposition to the deal continues. And, I would like to only remind, there was a reference yesterday to the visit of former US president Bill Clinton to India. Also a reference to the fact that he had arm twisted, that is, the US Administration then arm-twisted more than 30 countries into signing the CTBT, which even we were prepared, India, at that point of time. Well, it did not happen mercifully. That is good. But, nevertheless, when Bill Clinton went back to the United States of America, the US Congress rejected the CTBT, and then Clinton turned around to the world and said, "Yes, I forced you to sign the CTBT, but my Congress rejected it. Therefore, I am sorry. This is democracy at work". 

If that is democracy at work, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. That is an old English saying. So, if that is democracy for the United States, this is democracy for us as well that here, majority of the house does not agree. And, therefore, I think, that in a very honourable way, we can actually tell the world that we are democratic people and we will abide by the democratic values.