My statements were distorted: Pranav Mukherjee

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today informed the Lok Sabha said his remarks on the health of Anna Hazare, who is on fast for the past 10 days, were distorted.

Mukherjee made the clarification in the Lok Sabha when Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj drew his attention to Team Anna’s claims that the government had said Hazare’s health was not its concern.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Reuters

As soon as the Lok Sabha met, Swaraj said after meeting with government representatives on Wednesday night, Team Anna had claimed that Mukherjee had told them that Hazare’s fast was their problem and government had nothing to do with it.

She also pointed out that Mukherjee had said his remarks were distorted. “Since the Leader of the House is here, I would like him to tell the House what it right,” Swaraj said.

The minister had already clarified his position saying that his statement was distorted while talking to CNN-IBN earlier.

Denying that he made any such statement, Mukherjee said, “We are deeply concerned about Annaji’s fast. We have repeatedly appealed to him to end his fast.” Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed to Anna to end his fast, the Finance Minister said.

Mukherjee said that Anna Hazare should respond to the request of the Prime Minsiter and all political parties to conclude his fast.

“I do not know from where those distorted versions are coming,” he said.

Mukherjee, however refrained from giving a direct assurance on whether Anna Hazare would be removed Ramlila Ground forcibly owing to his failing health because of the 10-day old fast.

“There is no thinking of the government around that line. We are appealing to Anna ji to end his fast and allow the dialogue to continue,” he said.

Mukherjee also said, “This assurance must come from the Home Minister or the Prime Minister and not the Finance Minister. Please understand my position.”

The Finance Minister however refused to take the onus to inform Team Anna to stay away from making irresponsible statements.

“Who am i? It is for them to decide,” he said.