As rumours rock govt, PMO, Amit Shah give Rajnath clean chit

NEW DELHI: The first major controversy hit the 3 month-old Narendra Modi government on Wednesday when Union home minister Rajnath Singh publicized his anguish about the "rumour" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rebuked his son Pankaj Singh for seeking to influence transfers and postings in Delhi Police. The home minister and the de jure No. 2 in the Modi regime appeared before the media to make the dramatic declaration that he would retire from politics if the insinuation against his son was proven correct. The outburst, which coincided with the denial of a party ticket to Pankaj for the Noida by-election, triggered talk of a power struggle within the new regime, leading both PMO and BJP chief Amit Shah to issue statements backing Singh and vouching for his integrity. Reacting to "rumour" which have been floating in Delhi circles for at least 3 weeks now, Rajnath said he was forced to step out and clear the air because rumours were persisting. "In the last 15-20 days, rumours have persisted about me and my family. I thought rumours would die out since they had no basis. But I am seeing the rumours have only gathered momentum. I want to assure the nation that the day allegations, even though prima facie and even small, are proven against me or my family, I will quit politics and public life and sit at home." TOI