NEW DELHI: The first major controversy hit the 3 month-old Narendra Modi government on Wednesday when Union home minister Rajnath Singh publicized his anguish about the "rumour" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rebuked his son Pankaj Singh for seeking to influence transfers and postings in Delhi Police.The home minister and the de jure No. 2 in the Modi regime appeared before the media to make the dramatic declaration that he would retire from politics if the insinuation against his son was proven correct. The outburst, which coincided with the denial of a party ticket to Pankaj for the Noida by-election, triggered talk of a power struggle within the new regime, leading both PMO and BJP chief Amit Shah to issue statements backing Singh and vouching for his integrity.Reacting to "rumour" which have been floating in Delhi circles for at least 3 weeks now, Rajnath said he was forced to step out and clear the air because rumours were persisting. "In the last 15-20 days, rumours have persisted about me and my family. I thought rumours would die out since they had no basis. But I am seeing the rumours have only gathered momentum. I want to assure the nation that the day allegations, even though prima facie and even small, are proven against me or my family, I will quit politics and public life and sit at home."Singh also disclosed that both Modi and Shah were surprised when he raised the matter with them last week.The strong emotional pitch by the home minister prompted the usually reticent PMO to swiftly issue a statement in support of Singh as well as other ministers who have been at the receiving end of stubborn rumours. Referring to "reports" in media about the "conduct" of some Union ministers and alleged misconduct of the Home minister's son", the PMO said; "The reports are plain lies, motivated and constitute an attempt at character assassination and tarnishing the image of the government. Those indulging in such rumour-mongering are damaging the interests of the nation. These reports are strongly denied".Amit Shah sought to placate Singh by saying that the "misinformation" against the ministers was "baseless and misleading".Shah described Singh as among the senior most leaders "who played a crucial role in BJP’s victory in LS polls, and said that the home minister’s political career has been unblemished and a portrait of sobriety and decency. He also spoke glowingly of home minister’s son Pankaj terming him a “committed party worker” who has toiled for a decade, in what was interpreted as an indication that Singh Jr’s aspiration for an independent political career may be accommodated.But even as the damage-control effort appeared to have paid off, party circles were baffled about the source of rumours and the manner in which they spread across the city. Some suspected the role of a senior minister, but even Singh partisans are not sure. Sources close to home minister said that they enjoy close rapport at the moment, having been partners in the campaign to project Modi as BJP’s PM candidate. The thesis did not seem to hold water also because Rajnath’s colleague in question is close to the other ministers who have been targeted by the rumours.Sources close to Rajnath denied that the "emotional" home minister named any of his colleagues when he spoke to PM and Shah. The minister himself denied that he had approached the RSS leadership on the issue.Party sources pointed out that while aimed at different personalities, the rumours have one thing in common: the sub-text that Modi was a control freak who would keep even his senior colleagues on a tight leash. Sources in the government alleged that rumours were part of the attempt to malign the PM and weaken his team.Although government managed to douse the fires by its swift response and Rajnath camp appeared sufficiently mollified, but the opposition groups seized upon the opportunity to attack the governmet, while demanding that the allegations against Rajnath be made public. There were indications that the issue will be used against the government at the first opportunity they sight to paint PM as an “authoritarian who brooks no dissent and marginalizes his opponents ruthlessly either through covert means like rumours or overt methods like exclusion from party's powerful posts".