P Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, has been included in the Tamil Nadu government’s list of advocates who will appear in the Supreme Court for important state cases, according to reports.
The appointment became controversial after Congress general secretary K C Venugopal is said to have informed Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi only after the government order was issued.
Rahul Gandhi reportedly asked whether Chidambaram had been informed in advance about the nomination. Venugopal is said to have replied that he did not know. Later, when Venugopal checked through an MP, Chidambaram reportedly said he had come to know about it only then.
However, it later emerged that the Tamil Nadu government had obtained Chidambaram’s consent before appointing him. When this was conveyed again to Rahul Gandhi, he was said to be strongly displeased.
Supporters of Chidambaram argued that it is natural for a legal expert of his stature to be involved in the state’s legal matters, citing his experience as a former Union finance minister and home minister, and said the issue need not be politicised.
