Congress rebuts Tewari’s coup claim

An embarrassed Congress, which had rejected the report when the controversy had erupted for the first time, dismissed Tewari’s claim. “I am again clarifying there is absolutely no truth in it (claims about troop movement in 2012). My colleague was neither a member of the Cabinet Committee on Security, nor any relevant decision making body,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, adding some troop movements are necessary, “inbuilt and inevitable part of the defence mechanism”. 

“It was inappropriate, unnecessary and completely wrong to suggest that there was any truth in those allegations when made,” he said. 

“We on behalf of Congress very clearly and categorically want to deny this report,” another party spokesperson PC Chacko said. Isolated in his own party over his claim, Tewari said, “Whatever I said on Saturday, I have nothing more to add or subtract.” The ruling BJP questioned the timing of the former Union minister’s claim. VK Singh, now Minister of State for External Affairs, dismissed Tewari’s allegation saying it has come from a “person who has no work these days”. “He has no work these days. He should be asked to read my book which reveals everything (on the issue),” Singh said.