NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today did not comment on the charges of corruption leveled against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh saying he did not get the time to consider the issue.
“I did not have time to apply my mind about what is the truth in the allegations against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh,” Singh said in reply to a question on charges leveled against the Himachal Chief Minister by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley.
The Prime Minister said he was unable to comment on what is happening in Himachal Pradesh even though he has received a letter from Jaitley in this regard and will try to ascertain the truth.
“I am sorry I am not able to comment on what is happening in Himachal Pradesh. I have seen from newspaper reports. I have received a letter on December 29 by Arun Jaitley,” he said.
The Himachal Chief Minister has been in the eye of a storm after the BJP leveled corruption allegations against him that he favored a power company with which he and his family has business ties.
BJP has alleged that Virbhadra Singh took “bribe” from a private power firm, calling the case a “test” for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul on how they respond after their “anger” and outbursts in the Adarsh housing scam.
Demanding a CBI probe into the “most open and shut case of corruption”, Jaitley, who has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wanted to know what action he, the Congress President and Vice President would take against him.
Singh has denied the allegations and dubbed them as “false and highly defamatory”. The CM said he was ready to face any enquiry ordered by the Prime Minster.
The Congress has also rubbished the charges so far and said these were old allegations.
Singh had rushed to Delhi after the allegations and briefed AICC general secretary incharge of Himachal affairs Ambika Soni and former party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi.
At a news conference in Delhi, Jaitley also alleged that the wife and children of Singh were made shareholders in another firm of the same promoter, who owns the power company, apparently in exchange of the favor showed by the state government.
In his five-page letter to the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said these are cases which require an immediate investigation by both the Income Tax authorities and also the CBI.–PTI
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
