Sonia, Singh meet PC in jail; Ex-PM bats for ex-colleague

NEW DELHI: Former PM Manmohan Singh questioned the detention of his party colleague and former minister P Chidambaram in a case of alleged corruption, arguing that he was being blamed for a decision which he approved on the recommendation of a dozen senior officers.
On Monday, Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi met Chidambaram in Tihar Jail where he is lodged in connection with the INX Media case. Issuing a written statement of support on behalf of Congress, Singh expressed concern at the “continued detention in custody of our colleague, P Chidambaram” and expressed confidence that courts would render him justice.
“In our system of government, no decision can be taken by any single person. All decisions are collective decisions recorded in files. A dozen officers, including six secretaries to the government, examined and recommended the proposal. Minister Chidambaram approved the unanimous recommendation. If the officers are not at fault, it is beyond our comprehension how the minister who simply approved the recommendation can be accused of committing an offence,” Singh said.
He warned that if a minister was held liable for approving a recommendation, “the whole system of government will collapse.”
The decision of the top Congress duo to meet him reiterated the party’s support for the leader.

I have asked my family to tweet on my behalf the following: I am honoured that Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan… https://t.co/YgQxwLtuHA

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) 1569213302000^[5]

“I am honoured that Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh called on me today. As long as the Congress party is strong and brave, I will also be strong and brav,” Chidambaram tweeted through his family.

@INCIndia Bharat mai sab achha hai. Except for unemployment, loss of existing jobs, lower wages, mob violence, lo… https://t.co/0RpCxYDFCa

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) 1569213350000^[6]

In a dig at PM Modi for his statement that “everything is fine in India”, Chidambaram tweeted, “Bharat mein sab achha hai. Except for unemployment, loss of existing jobs, lower wages, mob violence, lockdown in Kashmir and throwing opposition leaders in prison.”
^[1][2][3][4]

References

1. ^{^} Manmohan Singh (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} Sonia Gandhi (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} Tihar Jail (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} INX Media case (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
5. ^{^} 1569213302000 (twitter.com)
6. ^{^} 1569213350000 (twitter.com)

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