Will PM dismiss senior ministers for holding office-of-profit, asks Cong

Senior ministers like Sitharaman, Prabhu and Jayant Sinha, M J Akbar have been alleged to hold posts of directors in India Foundation, a think tank run by Ajit Doval's son Shaurya Doval

The Congress on Saturday sought to know from Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he will dismiss senior cabinet ministers like Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and two junior ministers Jayant Sinha of Civil Aviation Ministry and M J Akbar of External Affairs Ministry for allegedly holding the posts of directors in India Foundation, a think-tank run by NSA Ajit Doval's son Shaurya Doval.

The party also demanded that the Prime Minister should act against them by initiating an enquiry by the CBI against them for allegedly holding office-of-profit, conflict of interest, and violating FCRA norms.

It also said the ministers should resign as members of either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha and fight elections again.

The attack by the Congress came after The Wire news website published an article on the issue.

The party alleged that BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav and A. Surya Prakash, chairman of the Prasar Bharti board, are also directors of India Foundation and investigation should be initiated against them as well.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said if no action is taken against the ministers, then the party will approach the court or may resort to other possible mechanisms to prosecute them.

The Congress also pointed out that in March 2006, party president Sonia Gandhi announced her resignation from the Lok Sabha and also as chairperson of the National Advisory Council under the office-of-profit controversy.

"Nothing can be a bigger case of crony capitalism, violation of law and corruption than this," said Sibal.

"It is a cocktail of government, who are directors in the foundation, and private business of billions of dollars, sponsorship by the very companies who seek favours from the departments in which the ministers are directors," he added.

"So, it is civil aviation, commerce, defence and external affairs. Over and above, this is supposed to be a charitable organisation - a public interest organisation.

"How can there be public interest when government and business are on the same platform and they are talking to each other for the benefit of business?" Sibal asked.