New Delhi: Planning Commission Deputy
Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, whose name figures in the
WikiLeaks with regard to the Finance Ministry portfolio, Friday
refused to comment on the controversy.
"I don't comment on WikiLeaks. No comments. You should
ask people whose comments are leaked," Ahluwalia said when
approached by reporters for his views on the issue.
According to media reports, US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton had inquired from New Delhi Embassy in September 2009
"why was (Pranab) Mukherjee was chosen for finance portfolio
over Montek Singh Ahluwalia? How do Mukherjee and Ahluwalia
get along?"
According to WikiLeaks, Clinton also asked, "How does
Ahluwalia feel about remaining in this position? Which, if
any, particular agenda item will he be pushing? Does he get on
well with the Prime Minister?"
WikiLeaks expose over 'cash-for-vote' created a storm
in Parliament leading to disruption of both the Houses --Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha -- for the second day Friday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on the issue
failed to calm down the Opposition, which had been demanding
the resignation of government over the issue.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 18, 2011, 21:10