The Congress on Wednesday described the CBI raids on the official and residential premises of close associates of the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, and DMK MP Kanimozhi in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation controversy as “the party's commitment to action against corruption.”
Dismissing any possible threat to the stability of the UPA government, Congress media cell in-charge and general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said: “The party trusts its allies and the trust is always mutual.”
He said the possibility of the DMK pulling out of the alliance was “stretching the point too far.” On the possible fall-out of the raids, Mr. Dwivedi said: “Let the enquiries be over. I believe everyone who was raising questions or doubts, those have been addressed now. Enquiry is a part of the whole exercise.”
He added: “The Congress is committed to taking action against corruption. This has been said repeatedly by party president Sonia Gandhi. If there is any doubt anywhere, it must be enquired into properly. It would not be proper to say anything more at this stage.”
“We have taken action in many such issues. We have also taken action when allegations were levelled even before charges could be proved in some cases,” Mr. Dwivedi said, referring to the resignations of Ashok Chavan from the Maharashtra Chief Minister's post and Mr. Raja from the Telecom Ministry.
On Ms. Kanimozhi describing the searches as “unfair,” he said the party did not comment on its allies. Responding to the Opposition's charge that the searches were an “eye-wash,” Mr. Dwivedi said they could say whatever they wanted to.
“They [the Opposition] stalled proceedings in Parliament. This is a totally negative approach and negative politics. They have been saying so many things and seeking inquiries. I fail to understand what they want. One should not be cynical,” he said, accusing the Opposition of reacting in this manner “for their own partisan politics.”
Meanwhile, highly placed sources in the Congress said the DMK was not in a position to pull out of the UPA as it needed support for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
The sources said it was the Congress that could look at the option of contesting the elections without the DMK and in alliance with other local parties, including the PMK.
