Pranab meets PM; calls Chidambaram a valued colleague

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee met in New York on Sunday evening for the first time

after the 2G note controversy erupted.

Pranab refused to speak on the issue, saying the matter is sub judice and he would first speak to "valued colleague" P Chidambaram and other leaders.

After his nearly hour-long meeting with Singh at the New York Palace Hotel where the Prime Minister is staying, Mukherjee said, "it would not be proper on my part to make any comment on that issue."

Speaking to the media, Pranab said, "The story of cutting short my visit is wrong. As the PM was here I thought I should report to him."

Refusing to comment on the 2G issue he said it is not proper on my part to comment on 2G spectrum note. "I will not comment on 2G issue as PIL is in court. Unless I talk to Law Minster and P Chidambaram and party members I cannot comment on this," said Pranab.

Pranab who rushed to New York from Washington DC and aimed at dousing Opposition fire over the controversial 2G note sent by the Finance Ministry to the PMO which appears to question Home Minister P Chidamabram's role in the 2G scam.

Sources said Pranab earlier spoke to Chidambaram as well.

The attempt is to project a united front and to defend the government over allegations of a rift within and that it is covering up in the 2G scam.

Pranab is likely to address a press conference later on Sunday in New York and is expected to confirm that his ministry did not leak the 2G note.

The Prime Minister had earlier re-emphasised his faith in Chidambaram over the 2G note mess and said, "The Opposition's role is to oppose and there is nothing unusual in it. My ministers enjoy my confidence".

Sources said that Pranab was happy that the Prime Minister clearly said that he has faith in his ministers.

The Prime Minister and Pranab Mukherjee will meet Sonia Gandhi when they return to New Delhi. Sources said that Sonia Gandhi has instructed the party to present a united face and fully back Chidambaram.

Trouble began when an RTI note revealed that Pranab Mukherjee's ministry had written to the Prime Minister's Office saying that Chidambaram could have prevented the 2G scam.

With Additional Inputs from PTI

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