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.
Timing for bursting crackers on Diwali in Mumbai is fixed, know the BMC guidelines.
The increasing pollution in Mumbai has also become a matter of concern amidst the festival of Diw
Sunil Gavaskar's prediction for CSK ahead of IPL 2024: The excitement for Indian Premier League (
Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are making headlines these days for their marri
Irish batsman Joyce survives bail scare
Brisbane, Feb 25 (IANS) In one of the most unusual scenes seen on the cricket ground, Ireland b
India opposes Lakhvi's release
New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) India on Friday asked the Pakistani authorities to ensure that 26/11
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is on a six-day visit to San Francisco and L
Amid Russian brutality on Ukraine, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has announced the sale of
Efforts are being made once again to take Kashmir back to the 1990s. Amidst the deteriorating sit
Realme Pad X 5G: Realme is gearing up to launch its most powerful tablet to date, the Realme Pad
One in five people saved by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after a heart attack has a near-d
