Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, whose name figures in the WikiLeaks with regard to the Finance Ministry portfolio, on Friday refused to comment on the controversy.
“I don’t comment on WikiLeaks. No comments. You should ask people whose comments are leaked,” Mr. Ahluwalia said when approached by reporters for his views on the issue.
According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had inquired from New Delhi Embassy in September 2009 .
“Why was (Pranab) Mukherjee was chosen for finance portfolio over Montek Singh Ahluwalia? How do Mukherjee and Ahluwalia get along?”
According to WikiLeaks, Ms. Clinton also asked, “How does Ahluwalia feel about remaining in this position? Which, if any, particular agenda item will he be pushing? Does he get on well with the Prime Minister?”