Snoopgate: UPA allies NCP, National Conference oppose inquiry

The issue of snoopgate enquiry allegedly involving BJP`s PM candidate Narendra Modi ran into trouble on Sunday with two UPA constituents - NCP and National Conference - opposing the move to appoint a judge in the "dying hours" of the government.

New Delhi: The issue of snoopgate enquiry allegedly involving BJP`s PM candidate Narendra Modi ran into trouble on Sunday with two UPA constituents - NCP and National Conference - opposing the move to appoint a judge in the "dying hours" of the government.

Congress, however, declared that there was "no compromise" as the issue involved women of the country.
In a setback to the efforts to name a judge before May 16, when results of the Lok Sabha elections will be out, NCP and National Conference questioned the move.

"When the results of the Lok Sabha elections are due in two weeks` time, where is the need for such an enquiry," senior NCP leader and Union Minister Praful Patel told PTI.

Striking a similar note, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said if the decision to appoint could not be taken in December then it was wrong to appoint a judge five months later.

"Was talking to my dad last night and he felt the same way - setting up a commission of inquiry in the dying hours of UPA 2 is just wrong.

"If the decision to appoint a commission was taken in Dec it should have been implemented. To appoint a judge 5 months later is wrong," Omar tweeted.
Patel also said that NCP chief Sharad Pawar has talked to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier in the day to convey the party`s view in the matter.

NCP is the second largest constituent of the Congress-led UPA.

The statements came a day after Law Minister and Congress leader Kapil Sibal insisted that government planned to go ahead with naming a judge for the enquiry before May 16 before the results are out.

It was alleged that illegal surveillance was carried out on a young woman in Gujarat in 2009 at the behest of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who was the Home Minister of the state at that time.

Unfazed by the opposition from its two allies, Congress spokesperson and Mahila Congress chief Shoba Oza declared there was "no compromise" on going ahead with the probe as the matter does not involve any political party, but women of the country who constitute half of the population.

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.