MHA rejects reports on NSA attending political meeting at Rajnath’s residence

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 17

A day after the Tripura state unit of the CPM urged the Election Commission of India to order an inquiry into the issue of alleged presence of National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval in a recent political strategy meeting of the BJP in New Delhi, the Union home ministry issued an statement and rejected the reports of presence of the NSA in political meetings at HM’s residence.

The tenure of the 60-member Tripura Assembly ends on March 14 and polls are due in the state.

MHA has clarified, "There is a well-established practice of the Home Minister holding regular morning meetings to review national security and public order. These meetings are attended by senior members of the Internal Security establishment.”

“As per this practice, such a meeting was held on January 14, 2018 at HM residence which was attended by the regular members of the group, including the NSA. These officials didn't participate in any other meeting at HM residence on that day,” the statement said. 

In a letter written to the chief election commissioner, Tripura CPM secretary Bijan Dhar had alleged that the BJP violated norms by engaging the NSA for a political purpose.