Digvijay holds fire on Scorpene data leak issue

Panaji, Aug 27 (PTI) Congress leader Digvijay Singhtoday declined to make adverse comment against the Modigovernment over the Scorpene data leak and said his partydoes not believe in playing politics on sensitive matters. "Congress party does not do politics on such matters.It is a very sensitive matter," Singh said, responding to aquestion by a journalist on the leak. "The Ministry of Defence and the government of India musthold a high-level inquiry and find out the culprit behind theleak. Information about such an important submarine has comeout," the AICC general secretary said. "I cannot make a statement where the issue of nationalsecurity is concerned at a press conference when I am notreally aware of the facts," he said when journalists continuedto ask questions on the issue. Singh’s stand was in contrast to Congress’ officialposition on the issue. When media reports about the leaksurfaced, the main Opposition party termed the disclosure as"scandalous" and accused Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar oflaunching an "operation cover-up". Media reports suggested that documents detailing thesecret combat capabilities of Scorpene-class submarines thatFrench shipbuilder DCNS has designed for the Indian Navy havebeen leaked. PTI RPS RSYKISRDS