Hours after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) served a notice to Congress President Rahul Gandhi seeking clarification on his Indian citizenship status, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on April 30 said the timing of the communication is not relevant, even though it came in the middle of general elections. "It is not a big development. It is a normal process," Mr. SIngh said when asked about his ministry serving the notice to the Rahul Gandhi asking him to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint questioning his citizenship status.
The Home Ministry issued the letter after 1 and half years it received a representation from BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in which he has claimed that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Gandhi as one of its directors.
Mr. Singh said, "If any Member of Parliament raises a question in Parliament, it becomes necessary to respond to it. If any MP writes a letter to any ministry, then necessary proceedings are undertaken by the ministry. It is not a big development, it is a normal process."
When questioned specifically if the timing of the letter raising a question on the citizenship of the Congress President was relevant as it comes in the election season, he replied, "No, no. This question was raised in Parliament also. A Member of Parliament (Dr. Subramanian Swamy) has written to the ministry several times as well, following which the action has been taken."
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