New Delhi, June 12
Suffocating from the Bhopal gas leak verdict, the Congress is trying to draw some fresh air by directly targeting then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Arjun Singh. With the aim to absolve the then Rajiv Gandhi government of any responsibility in the episode, senior Congress leaders like Satyavrat Chaturvedi have joined the chorus, asking Arjun Singh to break his silence.

The Congress government’s involvement in the release of Anderson is a potent political weapon for the BJP. What has worsened the matter is a statement by former Principal Secretary to Rajiv Gandhi PC Alexander, hinting that the former Prime Minister might have had a role in the release of Anderson. Chaturvedi, a Congress Working Committee member who belongs to Madhya Pradesh, said Arjun Singh must tell the world whether he stood by the three statements he made after Anderson fled the country.

“The statements clearly show that the then Prime Minister had no role into it,” he asserted.

As per Chaturvedi, on December 8, 1984, Arjun Singh said Anderson was allowed to leave the country because the police felt his presence was not required. Then on December 9, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said there was no pressure on him from anybody to allow Anderson to fly out of the country.

“On December 14, he said he had briefed Rajiv Gandhi on the circumstances that led to Anderson's arrest and then leaving the country,” Chaurvedi said, adding that the three statements proved that Rajiv Gandhi had no role in the decision taken by the state government.

Arjun Singh has chosen to remain mum and out of sight despite a huge contingent of journalists and TV crew permanently positioned outside his house. The only communication he appears to have had is with newspaper Chauthi Duniya. Arjun Singh reportedly said he was disturbed by reports on Anderson’s release.

“These reports are untrue. The first priority then was to save lives,” he has been quoted as saying. As per the newspaper, Arjun Singh said he did his job in the best manner under the circumstances and would speak on the matter at an appropriate time.