Congress Allies Agree with BJP Over Snoopgate Appointment

New Delhi: In a major bruise for the Congress, two of its key allies have stridently objected to the announcement that a judge will be appointed by this government - now at the end of its term - to investigate the scandal dubbed as "Snoopgate" which is based on allegations against Narendra Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

Sharad Pawar, who heads the second-largest member of the coalition government, called the PM today to express his protest.

"Our party is against a commission of inquiry at this stage. Results are just about 10 days away and it is not right to appoint a judge now," NCP leader Praful Patel told NDTV.

Almost on cue, another ally, Omar Abdullah tweeted saying, " Was talking to my dad last night & he felt the same way - setting up a commission of inquiry in the dying hours of UPA 2 is just wrong (sic)."

Interestingly, the Congress seemed determined to take on not just the Opposition but also their allies. So, on a Sunday, the party fielded two of their women spokespersons to field questions. Sobha Oza, the president of the Mahila Congress said: "It's not a matter of any deciding in when it should come or should it come or not. The concern of the women of this country is: is it right of any government to put three agencies behind to snoop upon her? And whether this is going to be the precedent in the coming days in our country?" (Snoopgate: Will Appoint Judge Before Votes are Counted, Says Government)

In December last year, the Union Cabinet had announced that a Commission of Inquiry would investigate the snooping row where BJP leader Amit Shah, allegedly under instruction from Mr Modi, is accused of violating the law by tracking a woman architect and putting her phone on surveillance without her knowledge.

Though the girl's family subsequently claimed that they had authorised the Gujarat government, the Congress alleged their consent has been procured by showering undue favours.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, another Congress spokesperson, alleged a quid pro quo. "Is it not true that Ecolibrium Energy was founded by Soni family in the year 2009-10? Is it not true that this new company, without any prior experience in the field of smart grid project was suddenly awarded the smart grid project for the Gujarat civil secretariat without inviting tenders or bids as a pilot project?" she asked. (Amit Shah Slams Government Move on 'Snoopgate' Probe)

And as Congress hardens its stance, snoopgate has become a campaign issue for its leaders. Both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have raised it in their public meetings. Just this morning, Rahul Gandhi, questioning Modi's credentials in women empowerment asked, "Modi listens in to women talking on phones."

But emboldened by the stand taken by UPA allies, the BJP embarrassed the Congress and obliquely raised Sonia Gandhi's foreign origins.

"The government is stumbling in every step. They are being disappointed by their own allies. Look what all will happen in the future. They are saying FIR filed against Modi on violating the model code of conduct must be investigated outside Gujarat. What will they say after elections? Should be taken to Italy?" BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

The decision to have a snoopgate inquiry commission was taken almost five months ago but the government is yet to name a judge who would head this. Now, amidst rumblings from allies, the UPA has only 12 days to appoint one.