Natwar keeps up attack on PM, take DAC to task

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Unfazed by his suspension from the Congress, former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh today launched a fresh offensive against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, stating that that the nation needs a ''decisive, resolute and forceful leadership'' at this juncture.

Addressing a crowded press conference at his residence, Mr Natwar Singh also attacked the members of the Congress Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC), questioning their loyalty to the party.

Mr Natwar Singh, who was seated with his son Jagat Singh, however, maintained that his remarks against the Prime Minister and the DAC were not an indirect attack on Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

''I have never cast nor will ever cast any aspersion on Ms Sonia Gandhi,'' he said and ruled out quitting the Congress.

Mr Natwar Singh also made it clear that whatever he had said against Dr Singh two days ago was not a ''lie,'' though he now felt he could have put it in a better way.

Mr Natwar Singh, who had said that Dr Singh was a spineless Prime Minister who had not won even a municipal election, clarified that he had made the comments out of anger following his suspension.

Questioning the track record of the members of the party's DAC, he said many of them, including its Chairman A K Anthony, had quit and rejoined the party.

He said he also felt aggrieved by the fact that his suspension was announced late in the night through the media and he got the show-cause notice only hours later -- around 0200 hrs.

Mr Natwar Singh, said he had sought an appointment with the Prime Minister yesterday and was given time at 1400 hrs which was subsequently cancelled without assigning any reason.

He said he wanted to meet Dr Singh, whose house was next to his, to discuss foreign policy issues, ''not to kneel before him.'' The foreign policy of the government was found wanting of late -- be it the nuclear deal, talks with Pakistan, India's role in Nepal or the trilateral cooperation with China and Russia, he said.

Mr Natwar Singh said he would give a detailed reply to the show-cause notice within the stipulated two-week time given to him.

Replying to a question, he said ''not a single leaf turns in the party without the knowledge and approval of Ms Gandhi'' who had never uttered anything against him.

He evaded a question whether the suspension and the show-cause notice did not amount to Ms Gandhi indicting him. He merely stated that he would reply to the notice.

Responding to remarks that he was honest but was a victim of his son's misdoings, Mr Natwar Singh said he would throw Jagat out of the house the day he did something terribly wrong.

The very fact that ...etc etc Editors: Pl pick up from para five of DI 46, POLITICS-LEAD NATWAR TWO NEW DELHI.

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