'Wounded' leader hits out at PM

NEW DELHI: A day after his suspension from the Congress, a wounded Natwar Singh lashed out again at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and charged two ministers in the Cabinet of plotting against him. The Congress, in response, rubbished his statements, saying they ‘lacked credibility’.

This growing acrimony between the party and the former external affairs minister is bound to be reflected in a statement on the Pathak Authority report prepared by Mr Singh.

The suspended Congress leader has sought permission from Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to submit his explanation before the House after the Pathak report implicated him for the ‘misuse’ of his position in the Congress to secure oil contracts for those known to him. The issue is set to storm Parliament on Thursday.

Mr Singh spent the day in the company of his new-found supporters, led by SP’s Amar Singh. Amar Singh had on Wednesday stated that if Mr Singh was not allowed to read his statement in the Rajya Sabha, then the diplomat-turned politician would sit on a dharna in the House. Support for Mr Singh is also likely to come from the AIADMK, TDP, JD(U) and the BJP, although the latter is likely to concentrate on attacking the government.

Mr Singh on Wednesday, said that a “malicious campaign” had been mounted against him over the Volcker report raising questions about his ‘honour and integrity’ and his ‘political and diplomatic credentials acquired over a lifetime’. He also maintained that the Pathak report had, “in its own convoluted way”, discredited the basis of Paul Volcker’s findings. He added that the Inquiry Authority had not included several crucial pieces of information including the affidavits filed by him, his son Jagat and Delhi-based businessman Andaleeb Sehgal.

Earlier in the day, in an interview to a TV channel, Mr Singh said: “It gives me no pleasure to say that he (Manmohan Singh) is a weak PM, unable to stand by his colleagues. I have worked with him for 40 years ... He knew nothing of foreign affairs ... When I am in a difficulty, he does not have the courage or camaraderie to say something in my favour.” He also alleged that two ministers in the present government had hatched a conspiracy against him and had selected lawyers who were prejudiced against him to assist the Pathak Authority.

Reacting to his statements, the Congress accused him of ‘betrayal’. “These are comments by a person who has misused his position and has been exposed by the Pathak Committee report. His remarks and the language used about the Prime Minister are discourteous and regrettable,” minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma said.