Snooping row provoked Modi’s ‘Jayanthi-tax’ remark, says Congress

“When the Gujarat CM talks about some tax, he should have realised that Babu Bokh-iria and Purushottam Solanki are continuing in the cabinet even after the former had been convicted by a court and the latter had been embroiled in a Rs 380-crore scam,” Babbar said asking Modi to explain “what tax has been levied on him for allowing them to continue in his cabinet.”

Babbar echoed Natarajan’s argument that Modi targeted her as she had been vocal against him. “He is saying all this because of her comments on snoopgate,” Babbar said.

He contended that a woman had raised her voice from the Congress podium and till today Modi and his lieutenant (BJP general secretary Amit Shah) have remained silent.” “And now they are saying all this…It seems snoopgate ka ghaav ab risne laga hai.”

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said Modi’s remarks were “in very bad taste” and claimed Modi “only knows how to abuse”. He dared Modi to provide proof to back his charge or tender an apology.

The Indian Express had reported how nearly 350 files were found to have been held back by Natarajan and her office when Moily had taken over the ministry last month. Documents show that as many as 180 files returned from her residence on December 22, 23 and 24 were unsigned, and 119 signed files were still held back for some reason.

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman however persisted with the offensive against Natarajan. She alleged there were reasons to believe Natarajan held back projects worth thousands of crores of rupees for “collateral interests”.