“The Press Information Bureau (PIB) platform should not be used to issue political statements,” former Information and Broadcasting Minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari told The Hindu, referring to the statement defending the government’s actions in the AgustaWestland chopper deal case — put out late on Friday evening by the Bureau.
“This is not the language that is used by the PIB. It’s just not their style,” Mr Tewari stressed, adding, “From the manner in which the statement has been put out, and its tone and tenor, it is very obvious that the PIB was merely asked to upload it.” His assertion was later confirmed by PIB officials.
“There was a separation in our time,” Mr Tewari said. “For instance, even at cabinet briefings, the designated minister would not answer political questions from the podium.”
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The PIB statement denies allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had offered the release of the two Italian marines, accused of murdering two Kerala fishermen in 2012, in return for evidence against the Gandhi family in the AgustaWestland case, repeating what Finance and Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday
The statement also says, “Those who cannot see Prime Minister succeed even hint at him cutting a deal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Prime Minister Modi did not cut any deal of any sort. His only goal and priority is the development of comprehensive national power, and empowerment of our masses.”