Modi's "Pakistan involved in elections" remark based on informal-sources: RTI
What's the story
Almost six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted at Pakistan's involvement in the Gujarat assembly elections, an RTI reply has revealed his claim was based on informal sources.
RTI applicant had Saket Gokhle sought evidence behind PM Modi's statement, to which the PMO replied that it was based on formal and informal information from multiple sources.
Congress was quick to act.
What he said
Last year, PM Modi spoke about 'secret meeting' at election-rally
On December 10, 2017, at an election rally in Gujarat, Modi spoke of a 'secret meeting' attended by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, former PM Manmohan Singh and former Vice President Hamid Ansari.
The meeting was reportedly hosted by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.
Based on it, Modi accused the Congress of sabotaging the state elections, saying the party wanted to influence results.
Quote
Here's what PMO replied to the RTI query
"While information sought does not form part of records held by this office, it may be noted that inputs received from multiple channels, including formal and informal, form the source of PM's statements," the reply to Congress' Saket Gokhale's query read.
Details
Congress renews demand of apology
Back then, Manmohan Singh had shot a letter to Modi, accusing him of setting a 'dangerous precedent,' and sought an apology.
After the RTI reply, Congress renewed the demand. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "What is informal about a constitutional post? You're raising a question mark on democratic processes on the basis of informal information."
BJP doesn't know how to conduct itself, Khera added.
It's serious
Congress also demands investigation on 'Modi assassination plot'
Pawan Khera also called for an investigation on the alleged Maoist plan to kill PM Modi.
"Any threat received by anyone against the Prime Minister, howsoever suspicious...vague, even if it is a rumour, should be taken seriously," he said.
Khera added Congress lost two Prime Ministers- Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi- to violence. "We know what it means to fight terrorism, Naxalism," he said.