Jayanthi Natarajan's allegations 'inspired' by BJP: Congress

The Congress Friday refuted former union minister Jayanthi Natarajan's charge against its vice-president Rahul Gandhi that he "interfered" in her work and said her allegations seemed "inspired".

Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said Natarajan's "special remarks" against Rahul Gandhi appear to be "inspired" by the BJP.

Singhvi said there was no logic in Natarajan's charges. He said if she says that she acted according to directives either from the Congress or Gandhi, then why and what is she complaining about?

"You as a Congress minister have to fulfil the party manifesto and to work towards achieving what has been mentioned in it. Where is the contradiction," he said.

There was always a "party line", so what is she complaining for, Singhvi said.

Singhvi also accused Natarajan of running an "image bachao andolan" (image saving movement) and that her actions were inspired by the BJP, who according to him were on "slippery ground" in the run-up to the assembly election in Delhi.

"It is unfortunate that a person, who spent four terms in parliament and held key positions without contesting elections made allegations that are opportunistic in nature apart from being untrue," he said.

On being asked why Natarajan was sacked as union environment minister three months before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Singhvi said there were "political reasons" and "her departure was considered and discussed by the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the then prime minister Manmohan Singh".

Earlier in the day, Natarajan resigned from the Congress, saying she "was being sidelined in the party" and it was no longer the organisation that she had joined long ago.