New York:
Pranab Mukherjee returns from the US today amid a raging controversy over his ministry's note to the Prime Minister's office on the 2G scam. Mr Mukherjee has sought an appointment with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and is likely to meet her after 6 pm today to discuss the latest row over the 2G note.
Sources have told NDTV that Ms Gandhi is also likely to discuss the controversial note with the Prime Minister and Home Minister P Chidambaram.
The Finance Ministry's note written in March this year questions P Chidambaram's actions when the telecom scam was playing out in 2008. It suggests that Mr Chidambaram, who was then Finance Minister, should have done more to ensure that spectrum was not given at throwaway rates to companies that were being favoured by A Raja, who was then Telecom Minister and is now in jail.
The Finance Minister met PM Manmohan Singh in New York on Sunday. It was their first meeting after the recent row over the note that indicates a rift between the government's two top ministers. Mr Mukherjee is likely to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi today in the backdrop of the controversy.
Mr Mukherjee has so far refused to comment on the note saying that the matter was subjudice. "I cannot comment till I have spoken to Mr Chidambaram, who is a valued colleague," he said in New York yesterday, adding he was "not here to satisfy (your) infinite inquisitiveness." (
Watch: 'Cannot comment till I speak to Chidambaram')
Mr Mukherjee, who seems to be in damage control mode, also said that he would speak to the Law Minister. "I am not a lawyer, so I will have to seek proper legal opinion before commenting on the issue," he said and quipped, "Why should I comment on this when I am outside India? I am not leaving for all time to come."
The Finance Minister also denied media reports that he had cut short his visit saying,"No engagement was cancelled in Washington DC." Mr Mukerjee said he took the opportunity to wish Dr Singh, who turns 79 today. "Normally I am not good at these dates and I miss. But helpfully my staff told me about it so I took a bouquet of flowers."
The issue has the Opposition gunning for Mr Chidambaram who was Finance Minister when telecom licences were issued in 2008. (
Read: Chidambaram should be with Raja in Tihar Jail, says Yashwant Sinha)
The Prime Minister, however, has said that he has full confidence in all his ministers and that nothing much should be read into his meeting with Mr Mukherjee in New York. "The business of the Opposition is to oppose or depose the government... nothing unusual they are doing," said the Prime Minister on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session which he addressed earlier on Saturday.
"There are a lot of things happening in the world - like global economic crisis. He was at the meeting of the fund (IMF) bank and he would like to brief me what happened there so there is nothing unusual in all this," Dr Singh added.
When asked whether he will back Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as he earlier backed the Home Minister, the PM said, "Of course, my ministers enjoy my confidence in full." (
Read: My ministers enjoy my confidence in full', says Prime Minister)
Meanwhile, Law Minister Salman Khurshid has denied reports of a rift within the government and has said there was no question of Mr Chidambaram's resignation. "I am authorised to say this. There is no war within. We are a lively group of people. Sometimes we may disagree. But ultimately when Prime Minister and the Cabinet takes a decision, then we go by that," Khurshid told reporters in New Delhi on Sunday. (
Read: 'No war within the govt, Chidambaram won't resign')
On the controversial 2G note, the Law Minister said, "Many things go out from a ministry and are often, in terms of normal procedure, are stated as having been seen. Important notes would normally go through several levels, including the secretary, and then would go to the minister." (
Watch: 'Pranab saw the note, didn't approve')