Sonia Gandhi asked Chidambaram to 'shield' Tehelka financiers: Jaya Jaitly
In her autobiography, former Samta leader Jaya Jaitly also recalls that when George Fernandes insisted on resigning, then Union Ministers LK Advani and Jaswant Singh advised against it.
Former Samata Party President Jaya Jaitly, in a startling claim, has said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi had a hand in the infamous Tehelka sting ‘Operation West End’ that ultimately led to then Defence Minister George Fernandes’ resignation.
According to an IANS report, she has also claimed that when UPA was in power, Gandhi had asked then Finance Minister P Chidambram to ensure that Tehelka's alleged financiers are not treated in an "unfair" or "unjust" manner.
Jaitly has made these claims in her upcoming autobiography "Life among the Scorpions: Memoirs of a Woman in Indian Politics", which is due to be released on Tuesday.
Informed sources have confirmed that Jaitly has presented a copy of the letter in the book. It also has a copy of a two-page letter from First Global, the alleged financiers of Tehelka, petitioning Sonia Gandhi, the then Chairperson of National Advisory Council.
Chidambaram suggested that the media ask the government for release of his reply to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
"My noting on the letter is correct. I am certain that, on behalf of the (Finance) Ministry, I would have sent a reply based on the material put up to me. The letter of Mrs Gandhi and my reply should be read together," he said.
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