Is India being run by a generally mute Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh or some over-ambitious PM-in-waiting? Bugging in office of Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee by fixing chewing-gum at as many as sixteen crucial places with grooves found on the planted adhesives is much more serious aspect than even infamous ‘Watergate’ episode of US.
‘Watergate’ episode was just espionage in office of rival political party. But in case of North Block, it definitely amounts to possibility of espionage in highest corridors of power either by foreign spies or by corporate or by political rival of senior Union Minister Pranab Mukerjee. Also it may be that the whole incident might have been deliberately planted and exposed to settle some political scores. It is to be noted that unconcerned agency (CBDT) rather than IB was initially informed about the incident. Another possibility can be rehearsal for some bigger espionage. In any case, Prime Minister should break his usual silence, and should order highest level enquiry into whole incident to protect national interest.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Delhi