Rajnath demands PM's explanation on 'Baalu issue'

Ramanathapuram, Apr 29 (UNI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh explain in both Houses of Parliament, the alleged role of his office in the ''T R Baalu issue.'' Talking to newspersons after paying homage at the Memorial to veteran freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar here, he said Dr Singh should immediately respond on the Prime Minister Office's (PMO) ''role'' on the controversy surrounding his Cabinet colleague.

''The Prime Minister should not keep mum on this issue,'' he said.

The BJP had dubbed Mr Baalu, seeking favours from the Petroleum Ministry for the companies owned by his son, ''one of the biggest scandals which the government was trying to shield.'' Paying floral tributes to Muthuramalinga Thevar, Mr Singh hailed him as the ''Balagangadhar Tilak of South India.'' The BJP leader declined to comment, when asked about the desecration of Thevar's statue in Madurai recently.

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