The Congress found itself on slippery ground again on the Volcker controversy as it battled to contain the political fallout of the Pathak Inquiry Authority’s report on the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal.
Arati R Jerath & Javed M Ansari.
NEW DELHI: The Congress found itself on slippery ground again on the Volcker controversy as it battled to contain the political fallout of the Pathak Inquiry Authority’s report on the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal.
Trouble came from two fronts. One was former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh, who issued belligerent statements threatening to spill the beans at “an appropriate time” and hinting at joining another party.
The other was the storm in Parliament over the “leakage” of portions of Justice RS Pathak’s report. Parliament was adjourned for the day as opposition parties threatened to bring a privilege motion against the government.
Undoubtedly, the main headache was Natwar Singh who was furious at what he considers betrayal by his party. After he had fumed in front of TV cameras, worried friends and well-wishers of the Congress whisked him away and tried to calm him down.
Later in the day, he seemed to be more mellowed. He told DNA, “The Congress is my strength. Why should I go against it?”
The subdued mood lasted only a while. Singh was back on TV in the evening, taking pot shots at Finance Minister P Chidambaram. “He should first sort out his own life,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, a government source said the Enforcement Directorate is ready with show-cause notices for both Natwar Singh and his son Jagat as well as for Andaleeb Sehgal and Vikas Dhar for financial and tax irregularities in the controversial oil-for-food transaction listed in the Volcker Committee report.
The ED is awaiting clearance to issue the notices.
The Pathak Committee report virtually shuts the door on Natwar Singh’s return to the Union Cabinet. While it may not have indicted him on money matters, it has accused him of “misusing his position”.
Singh’s frustration at the way things have turned out could stoke more trouble for the Congress unless party managers are able to reign in the father-son duo.
The government was caught on the wrong foot by media reports of Pathak’s findings. With the threat of a privilege motion hanging over its head, it quickly announced an inquiry into the source of the leak. Chidambaram was also fielded before the media to deny any government role in the “leaks”.
But the Opposition is set to resume its attack in Parliament on Monday. The BJP and the Samajwadi Party enjoyed the ruling party’s discomfiture. Both fished in troubled waters by jumping to Natwar Singh’s defence. BJP leader LK Advani said the Congress had sacrificed Singh to protect itself. SP leader Amar Singh virtually accused the government of writing the Pathak report.
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