2G spectrum scam-2G scam: PM a man of honesty, integrity, says Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress on Monday dismissed BJP's demand for resignation of Prime MinisterManmohan Singh on the 2G issue, saying that he is a man of "honesty, integrity and rectitude". (Read : BJP demands resignations of PM, Chidambaram )

"If at all anyone raised questions about the processes on the 2G issue, it was the Prime Minister," Congress spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters here.

He was replying to a volley of questions on former telecom minister A Raja's claims in a Delhi court that the issue of sale of equity by spectrum licences was discussed with Singh and the then finance minister P Chidambaram and the BJP demanding the Prime Minister's resignation.

Tewari's refrain was Raja's claims in a Delhi court were statements of an "accused trying to defend himself at the time of framing of charges".

"The allegations are made not by a member of the Council of Ministers but by an accused," he said, adding that it would be a "very sad day for Indian democracy if excessive and unnecessary reliance is given to a statements by an accused who is making a point".

On the BJP demand for resignation of the Prime Minister, Tewari said: "Unke upar laanchan lagana suraj ke upar thookne jaisa hai (To denigrate him is like spitting at the sun)".

The Congress spokesman said he made the statement with regard to the Prime Minister with "full and complete responsibility".

"The Prime Minister is known for his integrity, probity and rectitude all over the world," Tewari said.

Raja's court argument is not evidence: Sibal

Telecom minister Kapil Sibal on Monday hit out at opposition BJP for demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram by treating the argument of former telecom minister A Raja in 2G scam case in the court as evidence against the government.

His comments came after BJP president Nitin Gadkari demanded resignation of Singh and Chidambaram stating that what Raja had said in court showed that the top leadership of the government was aware of all 2G transactions.

Raja told a Delhi court hearing the 2G case that Chidambaram, then finance minister, had told the Prime Minister that dilution of shares by 2G licencees to attract FDI did not not amount to sale of licence.

Sibal told a press conference it was "unfortunate" that President of a national political party like BJP demanded resignation on the basis of arguments made by Raja in the court. "He (Gadkari) should have consulted Arun Jaitley (senior BJP leader) or some other lawyer".

On the allegations that two new telecom licencees -- Unitech and Swan-- divested their equity at premium, the telecom minister asserted that "there was no disinvestment and it was only dilution of stake by bringing in additional equity".

Asked whether the Prime Minister knew about the dilution of equity by Unitech and Swan, Sibal said "yes, the Prime Minister knew that it was dilution of equity" by way of issuing new shares and there was no divestment of promoters' equity.

He also took a dig at BJP for not acting against Karnataka chief minister B Yeddyruppa who is facing allegations of corruption.

"The way these issues are being raised by them (BJP) ahead of Parliament session, it seems thay have no other issue and they are adopting these tactics to disrupt the session", Sibal said.