Rao under fire over phone tap: Indian minister challenges PM

NEW DELHI - The Indian Prime Minister, Narasimha Rao, is being embarrassed by allegations that he may have ordered a wire-tap on the telephone of his least favourite minister, Arjun Singh, writes Tim McGirk.

Many politicians complain that nobody listens to them. But this is not true for Mr Singh. His title, Human Resources Development Minister, may sound lacklustre, but Mr Singh is a powerful force within the Congress government. He is the only man to have challenged Mr Rao openly for letting India slide into communal violence. Mr Singh also leads a growing band of dissidents within the Congress Party who would like to oust the elderly Prime Minister.

Mr Singh has no proof that Mr Rao is behind the bugging. The wire-tapping first came to light two weeks ago when Mr Singh telephoned Syed Ahmad Bukhari, a radical Muslim leader. Not long after the Imam rang off, according to news reports, he was contacted by two envoys from the Prime Minister who knew what he had discussed with the rebellious minister.

Outraged, Mr Singh wrote to Mr Rao asking if his telephone was bugged. Mr Rao denied it, but Mr Singh, unconvinced, hired a detective, who confirmed that the telephone was tapped.

In parliament, important debates were cast aside yesterday. Opposition MPs demanded that Mr Rao appear to answer the allegations. The Home Minister, S B Chavan, denied that intelligence agencies had tapped Mr Singh's telephone.

Mr Singh is now readying his assault on Mr Rao. Congress holds a general meeting this weekend, and Mr Singh is leading a movement to oust Mr Rao as party president. If that succeeds, it may force Mr Rao's resignation as Prime Minister.