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Government demands statement from Manmohan Singh on corrupt judge issue

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LK Advani during a programme to remember Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his 158th birth anniversary at the Central hall of parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday
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The BJP government targeted former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday demanding that he break his silence as Markandey Katju’s allegations took a new turn in the light of a note from the former PMO seeking extension for a Madras high court judge, who faced corruption charges. “His silence is an indication that there is something to hide. So in the interest of justice, the former prime minister should come out and make a categorical statement about what exactly has happened,” parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu said. 

Soon after Katju made public his allegations, the government had said that it was intrigued by the former prime minister’s silence. However, Singh had refrained from commenting saying the former law minister Hansraj Bhardwaj had clarified on the issue. 

On Tuesday, the government said the Supreme Court collegium was initially reluctant to recommend extension of the judge but did so under pressure from the UPA government. “Was he really under pressure? All these things people of India have a right to know. That will help enhance the image of the judiciary and also remove the misgivings if any by such a statement from the former PM,” Naidu said. 

The minister said the issue reflected on the functioning of the UPA. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had told parliament that the PMO under Singh had written a note asking why the Supreme Court collegium had not recommended extension for a Madras high court judge.

The issue echoed again in parliament on Wednesday with the AIADMK, which has used the issue to take on its rival DMK, demanding a response from Manmohan Singh. “Manmohan Singh owes an answer to the country. He should break his silence. His silence only confirms the allegation,” V Maitreyan said in Rajya Sabha.

Deputy chairman PJ Kurien, who was in the chair, said the former prime minister was not liable to answer. “He is not the prime minister anymore. He is not expected to answer,” said Kurien. 

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