PM, Atal cross paths at Shastri function

When former PM A.B. Vajpayee came face-to-face with Manmohan Singh today, the two merely shook hands. Apparently, no exchange on the ongoing impasse in Parliament.

Under attack from the Opposition for failing to act against tainted ministers in his Cabinet, Singh today said steps taken by late PM Lal Bahadur Shastri to eliminate corruption, and restore faith in governance, ‘‘assume enormous significance’’. Inaugurating the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial in the Capital, the PM said ‘‘Shastri’s decision to resign as Minister after a rail accident has become a popular tale of public accountability for generations’’.

Singh also said Shastri, as Home Minister, was instrumental in appointing one of the first-ever committees on prevention of corruption. ‘‘Today, with the benefit of hindsight, the steps taken by Shastriji assume enormous significance in the struggle to eliminate corruption and restore faith in our governance,’’ the PM added.

Former President R. Venkataraman, Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy and Home Minister Shivraj Patil also attended the function.