The PMO has released a statement on reports appearing in sections of the media mentioning the PM & the conduct of Union Ministers & HM's son — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2014

The reports are plain lies, motivated & constitute a malicious attempt at character assassination and tarnishing the image of the Government — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2014

Those indulging in such rumour-mongering are damaging the interest of the nation. These reports are strongly denied: PMO statement — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 27, 2014

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday stepped forward to scotch rumours involving his son Pankaj Singh and offered to quit public life if even the smallest of allegations against him or any of his family members was prima facie found to be correct.The emotionally-charged denial by Singh comes in the wake of "stories" that have been floating in political circles about his son being ticked off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged impropriety. The home minister said he had even brought these "stories" to the notice of the Prime Minister and BJP president Amit Shah, who expressed surprise and agreed that they were "baseless"."For the last 15-20 days or so, rumours have been floating regarding my son. I was under the impression like all rumours, which have no basis, these would die a natural death, but they have only grown stronger with each passing day," he told reporters here."I spoke to the Prime Minister about these stories. His reaction was that of surprise. The BJP president was also present when I raised this issue with the PM and both agreed that the stories were baseless," said Singh.Clearly miffed with the "malicious" stories about his son, Singh said: "If any allegation, even the smallest one, is proved against either me or any of my family members, I will give up politics and public life, and sit at home".He refused to comment when asked if he suspected anyone to be behind the rumours.The Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday rubbished reports about alleged misconduct of Union home minister Rajnath Singh's son.In a statement, the PMO said that "reports are plain lies, motivated and constitute a malicious attempt at character assassination and tarnishing the image of the government. Those indulging in such rumour-mongering are damaging the interest of the nation. These reports are strongly denied."(Union home minister Rajnath Singh with PM Narendra Modi at the BJP national Council meet in New Delhi: File Photo)Over the past few weeks, Delhi's political circles have been abuzz with rumours that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had allegedly and on several occasions upbraided certain ministers over various aspects of their conduct.