FTII row: Congress mocks government's defence on Chauhan appointment , wants Jaitley to clarify

NEW DELHI: Targeting the government over FTII chairman row, Congress today mocked its explanation that Gajendra Chauhan was appointed as he can devote time to the institute saying it won't wash as even a "peon has ample time" and demanded a clarification from I&B Minister Arun Jaitley.

"Jaitley who usually clarifies on several issues and had even backed External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, should speak on this issue.

"This is especially necessary as he is reported to have said that Chauhan's was not the best choice," party spokesman Raj Babbar told reporters.

Defending the appointment after reports claimed that names of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth were among those suggested for the top post at FTII, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had said, "The government wanted the Governing Council, including the chairman, to be people who could commit time for the development of the institute."

However, Oscar winning sound mixer and designer Resul Pookutty had tweeted that in his meeting with a FTII delegation, Jaitley had said "we (government) haven't made the best of choice but as a Govt we can't retract!"

The Congress spokesperson said that if Jaitley failed to clarify, then the opposition would seek clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently abroad.

Babbar, himself an actor, refused to say anything about Chauhan, insisting that the "fault lies with those who have made the appointment".

He said if the appointment was proper, why would the students agitate.

He recalled that the BJP-led NDA dispensation had appointed as chief of the Indian Council of Cultureal Relations a person who hailed the Prime Minister as "a bigger leader than Mahatma Gandhi".

"These are the tactics used by Goebells to create Hitler. The Fascists adopts such tactics to impose their influence on the fields of art and culture," he alleged.

On the reported statement of BJP Chief Amit Shah that the party gave the first OBC Prime Minister by appointing Narendra Modi to the top post, he said "it is a big lie".

He downplayed reports that leaders like Mamata Banerjee would not be attending tomorrow's iftar dinner being hosted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

"The invitation shows the love and affection of the leader who is inviting," he said.