Centre downplays controversy over Rawal's letter to Vahanvati

The government on Tuesday sought to downplay the political storm created by Additional Solicitor General Harin Rawal's letter accusing Attorney General G E Vahanvati of trying to interfere in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s probe report on coal scam.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said there could have been "differences", which is "natural" and the government has nothing to "cover".

"It is natural, it is normal and just leave it there. We will see more of it. I am sure both of them will clarify the issue with each other," the minister said when asked about the controversy.

The additional solicitor general's letter came as controversy raged over whether the government tried to influence the CBI's probe into the coal scam.

"Whatever the truth is, it will come out in probe. No need to comment on an ongoing investigation. The government is not in any difficulty. Because we don't have to cover anything," he said.

In his letter to the AG, Rawal had reportedly said he had been made a 'scapegoat' in the matter.

Rawal made the claim in a letter to Vahanvati in which he is reported to have accused the latter of trying to interfere in the CBI's probe report.

The accusation by Rawal came ahead of a crucial Supreme Court hearing which has taken on record CBI Director Ranjit Sinha's affidavit and the agency's status report on the coal blocks allocation probe that was shared with Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and joint secretary-level officials of the Prime Minister's Office and coal ministry.

Rawal, whose submission to the apex court while appearing for the CBI was contradicted by Sinha's affidavit, claimed that Vahanvati was involved in the stand to be taken by the CBI and that he was being made a 'scapegoat'.