News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp
Rediff.com  » News » I was punished for opposing US policy: Natwar

I was punished for opposing US policy: Natwar

August 23, 2006 19:18 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Suspended Congress leader Natwar Singh on Wednesday alleged his opposition to the US foreign policy has been mainly responsible for his exit from the party.

Speaking at the farmers rally sponsored by Kisan Sangharsh Samiti in Jaipur, Singh said the R S Pathak Inquiry Authority Report actually exonerated him but the Congress instead of congratulating him, punished him and his son.

He said the Volcker report was rejected by many countries including Russia and Indonesia while India has used the report to tarnish his image.

He questioned the moral right of the Congress disciplinary committee which suspended him as he said it has two members who were earlier expelled for six years from the party. He, however, did not name those members.

Natwar Singh has left the decision of his fate in the party on Sonia Gandhi.

He said the US signed the nuclear agreement with India on July 18, 2005 after which it made certain fundamental changes, which were not in the larger interest of the country. He said he had opposed those changes and wanted to air his views in the Rajya Sabha, but was not allowed to speak.

He said he always worked for improving Indo-US relations but India would not be a camp follower.

Addressing a crowd of about 25,000, Natwar Singh said the Common Minimum Programme of United Progressive Alliance government has many promises for the upliftment of farmers but till now it has been only lip-service.

His son Jagat Singh, who also addressed the meet was in a belligerent mood, saying he was ashamed of being a Congress legislator.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: source