Natwar Singh refuses to resign
NEW DELHI, Monday (The Hindu) - Minister without portfolio Natwar
Singh refused to "sacrifice" himself by quitting the Union Council of
Ministers as it would look like an admission of guilt and might not stop
with his resignation.
On the other hand, sleuths from the intelligence agencies and the
Enforcement Directorate on Saturday night picked up for questioning
India's Ambassador to Croatia Aniel Matherani whose reported claims in
connection with the Volcker issue have led to a fresh standoff between
the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Opposition.
Singh said he continued in the Cabinet not for the love of office but
because "I am not guilty of any wrongdoing in law or spirit. I refuse to
sacrifice myself. I am also aware that if I do that, it will not stop
with me.
The Opposition will use my resignation to further tarnish the
reputation of the Congress Party. I will not let this happen."
He also denied adding the name of his son Jagat Singh and his friend
Andaleeb Sehgal to the official Congress delegation since "I had no
authority to do so."
Matherani was met by officials from the Enforcement Directorate and
intelligence agencies as soon as he landed at the airport here on
Saturday night and taken to an undisclosed location to verify his
statements given to a TV channel and a news magazine. |