Congress unfazed, backed by Left, NDA ally JD(U)

Both parties asked for a probe into the charges but dismissed demands for his Khurshid's resignation

Even as the BJP joined chorus with India Against Corruption’s Arvind Kejriwal in demanding Law minister Salman Khurshid’s resignation over the alleged scam involving his NGO, Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, the Congress party appeared unfazed by all the brouhaha. Its confidence was not wholly misplaced as by Monday evening, Kejriwal had “suspended” his agitation against corruption in Delhi, promising to revive it in Khurshid’s constituency Farukhabad. 

The Congress stood firmly behind Khurshid throughout and senior Cabinet colleagues rubbished all charges against him. What has bolstered the Congress appears to be tacit support from the Left parties and NDA ally JD(U), both have asked for a probe into the charges but dismissed demands for his resignation.

CPM senior leader Nilotpal Basu speaking to Business Standard said, “This is not even a case like A.Raja’s where there was credible evidence against him. That kind of situation has not arisen.” Basu emphasized, that “there were far more serious issues before the country like food security, increasing attacks on women, price rise which were not being discussed; how can you carry out a campaign against someone without a probe being doe first.” 

While the BJP has seized upon the opportunity to trash the UPA over another scam and that too allegedly involving its Law minister; its ally JD(U) however has taken a different stand. JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav speaking to reporters today lashed out at IAC for diverting attentions from real issues and focusing on “personal issues.” "They (Kejriwal and his team) cast doubts on everything. They have no trust in any court, any probe agency. The country is not made by targeting individuals. UP government has already ordered a probe but you say that you don't trust a government probe.”

The UPA’s GoM on media constituting of senior Cabinet ministers which met this morning, firmly backed Khurshid with I &B minister Ambika Soni authoritatively stating, “There is no question of government distancing itself from Law Minister Salman Khurshid.” Health minister and senior Congressman Ghulam Nabi Azad  also seconded her.

Senior Congress leader and two time chief minister Digvijay Singh speaking to Business Standard trashed Kejriwal’s allegations and instead charged Kejriwal with “creating a political space for himself.”  “Mr. Kejriwal if he has any evidence should go to Lucknow and help the Investigating Officer in the ongoing probe.” Dismissing Kejriwal’s charge that an impartial probe was not possible as long as Khurshid continued in office, Singh shot back, “A trial by media is also not tenable. Let the probe by the UP government be completed before we come to any conclusion.”

Another senior Congress leader who did not wish to be named said, “At most what can happen is that the NGO can be blacklisted for its purported wrongdoings. Where is the question of Khurshid resigning? He did not personally authenticate the list of beneficiaries or see if aids and appliances were given. There are more than 230 NGOs in the country; will the functioning of each of these NGOs be probed,” he asked.

With Kejriwal now taking his fight to Uttar Pradesh for the time being, it appears that the Congress and the UPA can rest easy till then.