Index Page                                Archives

Ahamed comes out in Natwar's defence

     New Delhi: Minster of State for External Affairs E Ahamed has come forward in support of Natwar Singh, saying that the references made in the Volcker Report against the External Affairs Minister were "baseless and incorrect". Issuing a statement, Ahamed said," Singh's integrity and commitment to public service and his impeccable record is well- known. For almost five decades he has rendered yeoman's service to the nation with distinction. The references being made about him are baseless and incorrect". Ahamad said that meting out such treatment to a distinguished public figure like Natwar, who had an 'unblemished record of selfless service', was totally "unfair and uncalled for". Asking the people not to pass their judgement in haste, and that too based on "narrow and partisan considerations", he said, that the matter involved India's honour and prestige.

     Elsewhere, while the Congress accused the BJP led NDA of politicising the Volcker Committee Report, hundreds of BJP protesters marched to Singh's residence today, where they burnt his effigy, and demanded his resignation in the wake of his name figuring in the Volcker Committee Report. The BJP had yesterday asked President APJ Abdul Kalam to intervene and seek Natwar Singh's resignation from the Union Cabinet. BJP spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said that senior BJP leaders had had a meeting with party President LK Advani on Friday evening, and it had been decided that they would approach the President on Monday to intervene in the matter. Meanwhile, Natwar has dismissed the allegations and refused to resign. In an interview to ANI, Singh maintained that the allegations, that he and the Congress Party were indirect beneficiaries in the UN "Oil for Food" contracts were outrageous and completely false. Natwar also confirmed that India's Ambassador to the UN, Nirupam Sen, has been asked to seek clarifications from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the report.