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| Khurshid |
New Delhi, Oct. 15: The Congress leadership has altered its response to corruption charges, concluding that dumping ministers without an inquiry and substantive evidence was only deepening the credibility crisis instead of bolstering its image.
The Congress leadership today analysed the controversy over Salman Khurshid and concluded that he had done nothing to attract any culpability in his capacity as Union law minister.
Sources said neither Prime Minister Manmohan Singh nor Congress president Sonia Gandhi was inclined to consider the demand for Khurshid’s resignation.
The controversy relates to a trust run by Khurshid and his wife, which is not part of his ministerial responsibility. Khurshid has convinced the leadership that Rs 71 lakh given by the Centre was not misappropriated and discrepancies in documentation were a matter of enquiry.
The party feels that even if some wrongdoing is detected in the functioning of the trust, it should not affect the continuance of Khurshid in the cabinet.
After a meeting of the group of ministers on media this morning, information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni dismissed the demands of Arvind Kejriwal who, according her, “was making charges against everybody round the clock”.
Sonia asserted that “there was no question of isolating Khurshid.”
Sonia asserted that “there was no question of isolating Khurshid.”
Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad too said: “There is nothing wrong and Khurshid has explained everything.”
Sources said the group of ministers, the meeting of which was attended by Khurshid, felt there was no point in taking note of every allegation made by anybody, particularly when corruption charges were being used as the primary political weapon by the group headed by Kejriwal.
The group felt that those who have credible evidence should move the courts. The party, too, is in tune with this sentiment as it realised other parties had merrily brazened out grave charges in many states.
Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said: “Khurshid has approached the court and the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry. Both the avenues of finding the truth have been opened. We should leave it at that.”
Asked if Khurshid should not resign to ensure a fair inquiry, Dikshit said: “The system is run according to the rules and norms. Some individuals may like it or not and they can do their politics as they wish but the system will follow the rules. Let’s wait for the inquiry.”
In a clear indication that the party unambiguously backed Khurshid, the spokesperson said: “He has very effectively countered the charges and given his evidence. Much of what has been alleged is not true.”
To a question about Khushid’s display of anger at yesterday’s news conference, Dikshit said: “We know Khurshid is a calm person. But sometimes people get angry when personal allegations are made. This much leeway should be given.”
What came as an advantage to Khurshid is Kejriwal’s recent campaign against Sonia’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, which allowed senior leaders to unite and fortify the party’s position against such attacks.
The Congress leadership has now decided to tackle Kejriwal’s anti-corruption tirade as part of a political battle, instead of treating it as a moral issue. The party is showing signs of getting aggressive, with leaders like Digvijaya Singh advocating a harder line.
Kejriwal’s appeal today to the people to call the Prime Minister’s office and sing out “chor-chor” may also have played a role in further strengthening the party’s resolve to close ranks.
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