Same person should be PM and party President: Chidambaram

Asked if he was referring to Modi as Hitler or Mussolini, Chidambaram said "I am not referring to anyone as Hitler or Mussolini. I am saying that there are some people who imagine that they can be strong and decisive leaders and the language they use and the body language, the images that invoke fascism".

On the controversy surrounding Robert Vadra, Chidambaram said "he is a private citizen and unless somebody files a formal complaint...government does not voluntarily say a private citizen must be probed".

"Someone must file a formal complaint either with the investigating agency or tax authority and they would look at it. Nobody has lodged a formal complaint so far, then why should the government probe a private citizen?"

The BJP has accused Congress governments in Haryana and Rajasthan of favouring Vadra, son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi. It has also brought out a booklet and video against Vadra.

He said the case of industrialist Gautam Adani, considered close to Modi, cannot be compared with Vadra. The Adani issue was about state involvement in crony capitalism, he added.

On whether Priyanka Gandhi should play a bigger role in politics, Chidambaram said it was for her to decide and the party could not pressurise her.

Replying to questions as regards ' Snoopgate' in Gujarat, he said one or two judges were ready to probe the allegations and it would have been better for the UPA government to have cleared the name for inquiring into the case.

The Union Cabinet had on December 26 last year decided to set up a commission of inquiry to probe charges of illegal surveillance on a young woman in 2009 by Gujarat authorities, allegedly at the behest of Modi.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had requested the Law Minister to recommend a retired judge of the Supreme Court to head the probe panel. However, the government is yet to appoint the panel.