Jaswant has complicated issue, says Cong

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) The Congress today called upon former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and the BJP to disclose to the nation the identity of the alleged ''mole'' in the Prime Minister's Office who passed on nuclear secrets to the US and to explain why he kept silent on a matter involving national security all these years.

''In further explaining his position, Mr Jaswant Singh has complicated the issue, raising serious questions on the matter,'' Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natrajan said.

Briefing newsmen in the precincts of Parliament, she asked Mr Singh and the BJP why they did not expose the alleged spy in the PMO immediately if they were aware of the matter as the issue had the potential to compromise national security.

Ms Natrajan also asked the BJP and Mr Singh why they did not take steps to prosecute the alleged mole in the PMO when they were in power for five years. ''If the BJP and Mr Jaswant Singh have the shred of concern for the nation, it was their duty to have investigated, pursued, prosecuted and brought to the book the person who disclosed the secrets to another country.'' ''The BJP and Mr Singh should explain to the nation why they remained silent and thereby failed in their duty,'' she said, adding ''this shows complete lack of concern for the national security.'' The Congress Spokesperson also asked the BJP and Mr Singh why they chose to make the issue public at a time when the alleged mole had left the country. ''Is it because the intention was to protect the mole, the nation wants to know,'' she said. ''The nation deserves to know the truth.'' Replying to a question whether the Government would take suo moto action on the matter, Ms Natrjan said ''we will wait for Mr Singh to reply as he has made a mockery of national security raising all sorts of speculations.'' To persistent questions on the matter, she said ''we will take action within the time frame.'' UNI YS Vd BD1734