Prakash Javadekar Promises Probe Into 'Extraneous Influence' During Jayanthi's Tenure

Union Minister Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar has said that the government will look into cases of ‘extraneous influence’ in approval of projects during Jayanthi Natarajan's tenure under the UPA government. Javadekar also accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi of unduly interfering in the functioning of the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government.

"She (Natarajan) has mentioned certain files and she has not mentioned certain files but she indicated what was happening. But one thing is clear, that the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) was in office, but not in power. The power was concentrated in 10, Janpath (residence of Sonia Gandhi). So, we will definitely look into the cases mentioned and hinted at, where some extraneous influence has happened. We will see if there is any trace of such extraneous influence," he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Natarajan had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi, in which she alleged that she had received ‘specific requests’ from Rahul Gandhi on environmental clearances. Accepting those requests, she had denied permission for some big projects. She had also quit Congress last week after attacking both Sonia and Rahul.

Natarajan had claimed that she had followed Rahul’s directions but he later "changed his stand in favour of corporates."