Criticizing the NDA Government for coming to the rescue of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over media reports that alleged misconduct by his son Pankaj, the Congress Party on Wednesday said the Centre needed to reveal the content of the allegations to the nation instead of issuing clarifications.
Congress leader Ajay Maken said, "The Congress would like to know what allegation Rajnathji and his son are facing which are being denied," said Maken.
"The country wants to know, the Congress Party wants to know what exactly the allegation against his son is. We are asking Rajnath Singhji, we are asking Prime Minister Narendra Modiji why you are all giving such clarifications and statements," he added.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) earlier in the day defended the Home Minister, describing reports of his son's alleged misconduct as 'plain lies' and 'a malicious attempt at character assassination and tarnishing the government's image'.
"This has reference to reports appearing in a section of the media over the past several weeks, mentioning the Prime Minister, and referring to the conduct of some Union Ministers, and alleged misconduct of the Home Minister's son. The reports are plain lies, motivated and constitute a malicious attempt at character assassination and tarnishing the image of the government," said a statement issued by the PMO.
"Those indulging in such rumour-mongering are damaging the interest of the nation. These reports are strongly denied," the statement further read.
More From This Section
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister also denied reports about him and his family seeking political favours and said that he will quit politics if these allegations are found to be true.
"For the last fifteen to twenty days, there have been a lot of baseless rumours circulating. I thought I should not bother with it because rumours have no basis and they will die soon, but I have seen that the rumours are just growing. I want to assure the nation that the day any charges are proved against me or any member of my family, I will quit politics that day and sit at home," Singh said.
"I have even talked to the Prime Minister, who too has expressed his incredulity at my predicament," he added.
Rajnath is upset after reports in the media claimed that the BJP reportedly overlooked Pankaj, who was seen as a frontrunner for the Noida seat in the Uttar Pradesh bye-polls. There was also a report that the latter had approached the party leadership to guarantee him a seat to contest in 2017 assembly elections.