New Delhi:
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh says he stands by the statements he made on NDTV. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary was responding to comments made by the Home Minister earlier in the day.
Speaking to the Economic Times, Chidambaram had said "Digvijaya Singh is the General Secretary of our party. I have a job to do, and I am doing my job to the best of my ability. If someone can do the job better, I would be the happiest person."
(Read: I would be glad if someone can do my job better: Chidambaram)
Singh says there's no question of his being the Home Minister. " I am not an MP and don't want to be before the next election. I have said what I have said, and I stand by it. Mr Chidambaram is a competent man, and the Prime Minister has already expressed confidence in him."
This is the latest in the war or words between the AICC General Secretary and the Union Home Minister. In a recent interview to NDTV, Digvijaya Singh had said he had no regrets for going public with his criticism of Home Minister P Chidambaram on the Naxal issue.(Watch: Digvijaya to NDTV: No regrets for comments on Chidambaram)
His criticism of the home minister's naxal policy in that interview is believed to be the reason for a party circular asking leaders not to speak out of turn. Singh says that isn't the case at all, "I have not said anything which does not come under my responsibility and purview . I am a disciplined soldier of the party. The party circular is not targeted at me."
AICC General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi has formally written to all AICC office bearers and Congress Working Committee (CWC) members saying that they should express their views publically or interact with the media whenever necessary only on areas of their responsibility. He has also asked them to ensure the norm is observed at every level of the party.
(Read: Congress gags top leaders after Digvijaya gets candid)