Mumbai : Supriya Sule, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader, expressed opposition to the current form of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill on Saturday, urging a detailed discussion and referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Addressing the Bill, Sule emphasised that foreign contributions to organisations working for impoverished children should not face unnecessary restrictions. She appealed to the Centre to adopt a “guiding/moderate” approach towards the legislation.
She stated, “We oppose the current form of the FCRA Bill. There should be a discussion on this Bill and it should go to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. If the Government wants to have a discussion, then we are ready on FCRA. If foreign funds are being given to poor children, then that is fine. Many organizations send money from other countries. My request to the Government of India is: do not impose FCRA on us. There should be a solution on FCRA in a guiding/moderate manner.”
Regarding the INDIA alliance’s functioning, Sule explained that its leaders meet regularly under the guidance of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. She said, “The INDIA alliance meeting happens every day at 10 AM. We move forward in the direction that Kharge Sir gives us. Under Kharge’s guidance we discuss in the meeting. When elections come, the government works with both hands. Their rules apply everywhere. But when there is a paper leak, their rules are nowhere to be seen.”
On the protests by Jharkhand students and developments at Jantar Mantar, Sule condemned the treatment of students seeking education. She remarked, “What happened at Jantar Mantar should not happen anywhere in the country. Our children want to study and this is happening to them. I read that ministers from Jharkhand have ordered an inquiry into it.”
Addressing the political dispute over the Shiv Sena’s election symbol and Uddhav Thackeray, she asserted that the symbol should belong to Uddhav Thackeray, citing the party’s founding by Balasaheb Thackeray who designated Uddhav as his successor. Sule added, “The symbol in Uddhav ji’s case belongs to Uddhav ji only. Who founded the party? Balasaheb did. And he made Uddhav ji his successor. This cannot go on like this. This country will run only by the Constitution. NCP also belongs to Pawar Sir only. We will keep fighting for this.”
