The war of words in Rajya Sabha between Congress and BJP over alleged attempts to access Arun Jaitley’s phone records hinted that both ruling and opposition are not in a mood to run the House smoothly during Budget session. Despite Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s clarification over the issue in the Upper House today, one question is still unanswered.
Shinde instead of admitting his ministry’s fault defended the government saying, BJP leader Arun Jaitely’s phone was not tapped, rather an attempt was made to access to his call data records.
While Shinde said it was not a phone tapping case but a case of unauthorised access to call records, the BJP termed the attempt as a serious matter and sought the answer “who had ordered the unauthorised surveillance”.
The BJP is stick to its point that no attempt will be made to access Jaitely’s call records without government’s order.
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It can be noted that Private detective Anurag Singh, the main conspirator has been arrested in connection with the case and other three accused — constable Arvind Dabas, Neeraj and Nitish — are already in judicial custody.
However, the arrest of those conspirators did not satisfy the main opposition. Shinde briefed the House over the issue and tried to defend himself by saying that the CDR details were not disclosed yet and no permission was given for that.
Shinde’s statement made it clear that the home ministry was allegedly behind the order to access the call data records of Jaitely, which is unauthorised.
BJP did not spare a chance to take on the Congress over the claims that the case was a result of BJP infighting. The opposition alleged that the government is functioning in a mafia style.