After Defence Ministry's denial, Chidambaram questions PM's 'silence' on Pegasus row

New Delhi: Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday raised questions on Pegasus snooping row after the Defence Ministry's denial on any transactions with the ISO group.

"MoD has 'absolved' itself of any deal with the NSO Group, Israel. Assuming, MoD is correct, that takes out one Ministry/Department. What about the remaining half a dozen usual suspects? Only the PM can answer on behalf of ALL ministries/departments. Why is he silent?" Chidambaram wrote on Twitter.

In a written reply to a question of MP V. Sivadasan in the Rajya Sabha on Monday regarding whether the government had carried out any transaction with the NSO Group Technologies, the Minister of State (Defence) Ajay Bhatt said, "Ministry of Defence has not had any transaction with NSO Group Technologies."

Meanwhile, both the Upper House and Lower House of Parliament have been witnessing disruption over the NSO Group Technologies spyware called Pegasus.

Last week 18 leaders of the like-minded opposition parties issued a joint statement and demanded a discussion on the Pegasus snooping issue.

"The opposition parties stand firm and united on their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus issue in both the Houses, replied to by the Home Minister, as this has national security dimensions", the statement read.

"It is unfortunate that the government has unleashed a misleading campaign to malign the combined opposition and blame it for the continued disruption in Parliament. The responsibility for the deadlock lies squarely at the doorsteps of the government, which remains arrogant and obdurate and refuses to accept the opposition's demand for an informed debate in both the Houses," it added.

Meanwhile, the opposition has also unequivocally demanded a discussion on the farmers' issues and agitations arising from the three anti-farmers and black agri-laws after the discussion on Pegasus.