Prime minister Manmohan Singh is upset with union ministers rushing to defend Robert Vadra, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law on news-channels. Vadra was recently accused by India Against Corruption of having influenced acquisition of land in Haryana by the real estate company, DLF, through sweetheart deals.  The prime minister is said to have directed three ministers in particular not to appear in any TV discussion or give bites.

Parliament sources have revealed that a trusted aide of the PM communicated the latter’s instructions to the ministers. Reportedly, Singh is concerned that the government defending Vadra in TV discussions could further damage the government’s image among the public.

Some Congress and UPA2 insiders have admitted that the Robert Vadra issue has seeped deep into the system. The PM is believed to have consulted a “trusted lieutenant” on the issue which has dented the image of both, the Gandhi family and the government.

Some have already put a spin to the PM’s said instructions to the ministers saying that Singh’s actions are prompted by the fact that none of the ministers ever came to his defence when his name cropped up in the 2G scam.