In a significant development, former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh called on HRD Minister Arjun Singh on Friday.
NEW DELHI: In a significant development, former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh called on HRD Minister Arjun Singh on Friday.
The two were closeted together for an hour. The meeting comes a day after Natwar Singh found fault with the government on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.
There was no word from either of the leaders on what transpired at the meeting. Sources close to the former External Affairs Minister described it as a "routine meeting between two old friends".
Both Arjun Singh and the former External Affairs Minister were a part of the breakaway Congress (T) during P V Narishimha Rao's reign.
Natwar Singh had to resign from the government in the wake of the Volcker controversy and has been nursing a grievance against the government and the party. Natwar has become increasingly critical of the government in recent days and believes that the party has done nothing to defend or bail him out of trouble.
Last week, he accused the government of letting down the people of Nepal. On Thursday, he was critical of the deal concluded by Manmohan Singh with the US on the nuclear issue.
The latest provocation for Natwar appears to the extension granted to the Pathak Commission that is probing the oil-for-food scam.
He feels he is innocent and the commission's inability to give him a clean chit as it is yet to complete its inquiry is harming his reputation.
Over the past few days, there have been speculations that the erstwhile Congress (T) members will open a front against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Sources close to both the leaders deny the existence of any such plan.
Natwar Singh has reportedly made it clear to his associates that despite the issues that he has with his party and the government, he has absolutely no intention of leaving the party.
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