NEW DELHI, Aug 6: In a move that could disrupt India’s current pro-US tilt and related diplomatic postures, former foreign minister Kunwar Natwar Singh decided on Sunday to move a privilege motion against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He seemed to have the support of key government allies.
Mr Singh has been reportedly indicted by a commission of inquiry that probed his links with Iraq’s oil-for-food scandal. But the report was prematurely leaked to the media before it could be tabled in parliament. This has opened the prime minister to charges of breach of privilege.
The former foreign minister is a staunch supporter of India’s ageing non-aligned policies and his supporters say he was deliberately ejected from the cabinet ahead of the March visit by US President George W. Bush.
The two countries are engaged in a landmark nuclear energy cooperation deal, which has been criticised by practically everyone in the opposition as well as the government’s communist allies. Mr Singh will target the deal.
If admitted by the Rajya Sabha chariman, the privilege motion will also seek to unsettle the government over its Middle East policy, in which India is seen as a closer ally of Israel as opposed to its traditional ties with Iran and pro-Palestine Arab states.
The government’s policy of even-handedness towards Israel has not gone down too well with Muslim voters whose services are required in Uttar Pradesh for crucial states elections in February.
Dr Singh’s Pakistan policy would also come in for flak because of its perceived ambiguities that makes Indian Muslims vulnerable to Hindutva groups. The prime minister would of course have the chance to set the record straight on all these issues, both in parliament and when he addresses the nation on Aug 15.
Only two days ago Natwar had said that he and Congress party were inseparable, but Sunday’s developments could see a rupture between the two.
CPI General Secretary A. B. Bardhan said that there had been a leak and it should be investigated. He added that the privilege motion would be moved on Monday in Rajya Sabha and they had also sought Natwar Singh’s opinion on the issue.
