NIL
Modi defends Rajnath on son row, PMO clears stand
New Delhi, Aug 27 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally decided to put the ongoing controversy over the son of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to rest by issuing a statement on Wednesday defending the senior BJP leader and the key minister in the Modi cabinet.
A statement issued by Prime Minsiter's Office (PMO) rubbished all media reports on Rajnath's son Pankaj Singh as "plain lies". It said, "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. Those indulging in such rumour-mongering are damaging the interest of the nation," said the statement. "These reports are strongly denied."
Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday rubbished the news floating around his son Pankaj Singh after reportedly taking it up with the BJP's ideological patron RSS and at the highest level in the party.
Singh reportedly expressed unhappiness for being targetted by rivals in his party. He denied all allegations cropping up against his family.
Speaking to mediapersons, Rajnath termed all the allegations as baseless. He said, "For past few days, some false allegations are being made against my family. I want to ascertain to my fellow countrymen that, if the allegations are proved true, I will immediately quit politics."
Rajnath termed the allegations as mind games of his political rivals. Home Minister also said that he has discussed this issue with Prime Minister and party's chief, and that both of them stood by him.
The controversy broke after reports floating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ticked off his son Pankaj Singh for alleged political misconduct.
According to media reports, Prime Minister scolded Rajnath's son Pankaj in front of his father in a meeting for taking bribe in lieu of police posting and asked him to return the money, a charge denied by Pankaj.
Though Pankaj Singh's name was bandied about as a candidate for the Noida seat in the UP bypolls, he was overlooked by Modi, the report added.
Top Headlines
-
News
India, China have completed disengagement: Reports
October 31, 2024
-
News
Uzbekistan parties supporting President Mirziyoyev win parliamentary elections as country undergoes reforms
October 29, 2024
-
News
Sanction Indian diplomats, ban RSS: anti-India Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh goes ballistic
October 16, 2024
-
News
Hezbollah drone attack on military base kills four Israeli soldiers
October 14, 2024
-
News
Trudeau govt's vote bank politics: India toughens stand against Canada after latest tirade over Nijjar killing
October 14, 2024
-
News
Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique's murder, sends Salman Khan a message
October 14, 2024
-
News
RG Kar: Bengal junior doctors to hold protest march to Raj Bhavan on 10th day of hunger strike today
October 14, 2024
-
News
Tamil Nadu derailment: 19 injured in Darbhanga Bagmati Express collision with goods train, 13 coaches jump track
October 12, 2024
-
News
Distasteful and disgraceful: Amit Shah on Mallikarjun Kharge's 'won't die till Modi is removed from power' remark
September 30, 2024
-
News
Keep Gods away from politics: Supreme Court slams Andhra govt over Tirupati laddoo row
September 30, 2024