Congress, BJP spar over change of Foreign Secretary


Posted on 30th Jan 2015 12:47 pm by mohit kumar

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) The Congress Thursday questioned the abrupt replacement of foreign secretary Sujatha Singh before the end of her tenure and demanded that the government explain the reasons for the change -- but the ruling BJP retorted it was well within the government's rights to decide on appointments.

Congress leader Manish Tewari wondered if the decision was a belated result of the stern stand taken by Sujatha Singh on the Devyani Khobragade issue.

"Foreign secretary is head of the foreign service... before you start gerrymandering with seniority and fixed tenure, you need to very categorically explain as to what is the reason for doing so," Tewari told IANS.

"The decision, coming as it does two days after the US president's visit... is there a linkage between the stand which Sujatha Singh took on the Devyani matter and this a belated retribution," he asked.

"After all, if the government was unhappy with the former foreign secretary, then they could have asked her to go earlier. Or did something happen during the US president's visit...

"If not, is there a linkage between the unceremonious sacking and the Devyani issue. Everyone is aware there are a lot of disgruntled people because the former foreign secretary took a calibrated position to protect a young officer prosecuted by the US authorities," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, said it was the government's prerogative to decide on appointments.

"I don't see any reason for the hue and cry. A government is within its rights to decide how it would like to appoint what officers and with what responsibilities. And this is not the first time... Preceding governments have taken (such) decisions," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.

Tewari, however, asserted that an explanation was needed.

"It may be the government's right to decide, but if the government decides to curtail a fixed tenure, it must provide an explanation," he said.

Sujatha Singh assumed office in August 2013 and was due to retire in August this year. She was the country's third woman foreign secretary.

The appointments committee of the Cabinet, in a decision Wednesday, decided to "curtail the tenure" of Sujatha Singh "with immediate effect" and replace her with S. Jaishankar, currently the ambassador to the US. he took over Thursday.

Kohli, meanwhile, said there is no political motive behind the appointment.

"I do not see any reason that anyone can attribute any political motives. This is the right of the government," he said.

"The Congress party spokesperson can try to do politics or anything. In any case, it does not appear that they are inspired by their leadership. That's why their constant method seems to be trying to raise a hue and cry on issues also where there is no scope to do so," he said.

0 Like 0 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

Wheat Flour Export: After wheat, now the government's strictness on flour export, their approval will have to be taken

After banning wheat exports in May, the government has decided to put in place a new approval fra

China Coronavirus Update: China is not desisting from lying, now open pole on Corona cases of Wuhan

The first case of coronavirus was reported last year in Wuhan city of China. At that time no one

Passion, hard work pay off at this Jaipur cafe-bakery (Foodie Trail-Jaipur)

Jaipur, Feb 4 (IANS) The best in any business, person or profession comes out only when it is b

'Development and heritage will move forward together', PM Modi said - There is no scope for division in India's mantra of unity in diversity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the picture of new India is a confluence of bo

Comment on Prophet not an issue for us, internal matter of India: Bangladesh

The remarks on Prophet Mohammad by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal have been term

Parliament Security: Flags bought from Sadar Bazaar...canes were distributed at India Gate, police are connecting such links of crime

The Special Branch of Delhi Police took the accused in the Parliament security breach case and in

SC quashes extension of OBC reservation to Jats

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the March 4, 2014 notification

Budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman claims, a balance will be seen between the economic growth rate and inflation in the next budget

Amidst preparations for the upcoming budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday

India Pakistan Tension: Turks exposed by Shehbaz's antics, revealed their evil face by thanking Erdogan

The truth cannot be hidden for long. No matter how much Turkey and China, which are facing allega

Israel Iran Tension: Israel retaliated against Iran, with missiles fired, and explosions at the airport, report claims

Recently, Iran attacked Israel with missiles and drones. Now news has come that Israel

Sign up to write
Sign up now if you have flare of writing..
Login   |   Register
Follow Us
Indyaspeak @ Facebook Indyaspeak @ Twitter Indyaspeak @ Pinterest RSS



Play Free Quiz and Win Cash