New Delhi, Nov. 12: Minister of state in the PMO V. Narayanasamy’s remarks on contemplating making the Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) a multi-member body has annoyed the Congress leadership and the government.

Though Narayanasamy slipped into denial mode, arguing that he was misquoted, news agency PTI, which conducted the interview, described the change of stance as “retraction” by the minister.

The Congress quickly moved into damage-control mode, with spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit clarifying that the government won’t do anything in response to individual conduct, and the institutional necessities for such a change, if required, would be taken into consideration.

One Congress leader said that this unseemly row had erupted barely a few days after Rahul Gandhi advocated an open and transparent system, hailing the virtues of the Right to Information Act at the party’s Surajkund conclave.

He said: “We never intended to weaken the institution of the CAG despite obvious disagreements with Vinod Rai. I am sure the Prime Minister, too, would have told off the minister for making that irresponsible remark.”

Other Congress leaders felt there was no need to discuss this matter openly as the government was not in a position to manage the requisite numbers for a constitution amendment, which such a change would require in the CAG, even if a view in support of this idea existed somewhere.

Party spokesperson Dikshit said: “CAG is a companion of the government. There is no confrontational relationship though we disagree with some of the findings of the present CAG. But this does not mean the institution will be changed because of one person.”

The BJP grabbed the opportunity to present this as a proof of Congress’ propensity to destroy institutions and vowed to oppose the move both in and outside Parliament.

“We seriously apprehend that this remark of the minister is not an off-the-cuff remark,” senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

SP general secretary Mohan Singh said: “People in responsible positions in government should avoid making comments against constitutional bodies. We will not support such a proposal.”

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said: “CAG is a constitutional authority. Any change in its composition or making it a multi-member body requires a constitutional amendment, which will require two-thirds support in both Houses (of Parliament) and all the Legislative Assemblies.”