Mole in PMO: Ratnakar demands arrest of Jaswant Singh

Hyderabad, July 30: Taking the battle directly into the BJP camp, senior Congress leader and All India Congress Committee (AICC) member Ratnakar Pande today demanded the arrest of former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh for his ''irresponsible action of not revealing the alleged 'mole' in the Office of the former Prime Minister P V Narsimha Rao''.

Speaking to reporters here, Dr Pande alleged that Mr Singh was making speculation about the issue.

He found fault with Mr Singh for not revealing the name of the official whom he claimed acted as a spy for U S.

''It is irresponsible, on his part, to remain silent on the issue.

It should be discussed in Parliament. If Mr Singh's argument is proved wrong serious action should be taken and if needed he should be arrested'' he alleged.

Referring to the Office of Profit issue, Mr Pande said that the Bill was sent to the President for a second time.

''The political parties should wait till the President takes action on the Bill,'' he said.

About the price hike of essential commodities, Mr Pande said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must take measures to control it.

UNI