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Monday, Dec 05, 2005

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Natwar free to decide: Congress

Special Correspondent

No pressure on Government or party from Mr. Singh or vice versa

JAIPUR : All-India Congress Committee spokesman Abhishek Singhvi on Sunday said the fresh allegations against Union Minister Natwar Singh had not "in principle'' changed the substance of the Volcker controversy, which was being probed by a Commission of Inquiry.

In an obvious reference to the charges levelled by Aniel Matherani, he said anyone possessing evidence regarding Mr. Singh's alleged involvement in the Oil-for-Food programme was free to approach the Justice R.S. Pathak Commission. "New allegations about an unverified report coming every week are not going to change the nature of controversy." The United Progressive Alliance Government had taken a "totally transparent'' stand by referring the matter to the Commission, but the Congress reserved the right to take action against Mr. Natwar Singh or his son, Jagat Singh, if the allegations were proved, Mr. Singhvi told reporters at the Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters here.

Mr. Singhvi said BJP president L.K. Advani's demand for the resignation of Sonia Gandhi as the UPA chairperson and action against Mr. Natwar Singh were of no consequence, as Ms. Gandhi had said truth would be unearthed and no attempt to misuse the name of Congress allowed.

Asked whether Mr. Natwar Singh should quit from the Cabinet until his name was cleared, Mr. Singhvi said the Minister was "free to decide his course of action." There was no pressure on the Government or the Congress from Mr. Singh or vice versa, he added.

Mr. Singhvi said the Congress had so far not received a reply to its letter to the U.N. Secretary-General requesting for details of the Volcker Committee's notices purportedly sent to the alleged beneficiaries of the scam before the inclusion of their names in its report. "We would certainly like to know the identity of those who misused the name of Congress," he said.

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