Jayanthi playing BJP’s game: Congress

Congress closed ranks within hours after former minister for environment Jayanthi Natarajan quit the party, making allegations against party vice president Rahul Gandhi.  Several party leaders issued hard-hitting statements against their former colleague, while party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi came out guns blazing against her from the official podium.

Mr. Singhvi accused her of acting at the behest of her "new political masters" to add some "artificial masala" in the Delhi elections as the "ground slips from beneath the feet" of those who coined the phrase "Jayanthi tax".

As former Union minister of state for environment Jayanti Natarajan's letter blew up in the party's face, the Congress said she had been removed from the ministry because of serious allegations against her.

Asked why -- in that case -- no case was registered against Ms. Natarajan by the UPA Government, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi sought to draw a distinction between proveable  allegations and serious allegations. "Maybe her new political masters have got some evidence which is being used to pressurise her."

Complete coverage: Jayanthi Natarajan quits Congress Former Union Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan quits from the primary membership of the Congress >Read hereThe Hindu Exclusive: Jayanthi Natarajan's letter to Sonia Gandhi. >Read here Jayanthi's letter rocks capital; Congress evasive, BJP on the offensive. >Read here Jayanthi's resignation from the Congress is unlikely to have any unusual impact on the party’s plummeting fortunes in Tamil Nadu. >Read here BJP denies that Jayanthi Natarajan had met any of their leaders last year. >Read here Congress high command has to respond to Jayanthi's charges: CPI >Read here Prakash Javdekar said it was his duty to review those specific files where extraneous influence had been alleged as per the letter. >Read here Several Congress leaders issued hard-hitting statements against their former colleague >Read here