New Delhi, May 30 (ANI): Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi on Wednesday criticised Team Anna members for levelling corruption charges against Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
"It's very unfortunate that allegations have been made against the Prime Minister. Even Prime Minister's enemies will not accuse him of being corrupt," Alvi said.
However, Justice Santosh Hegde distanced himself from corruption allegation against Dr. Singh, and said: " I myself find it very difficult to believe that there could be any charge or allegation of corruption against Manmohan Singh".
"I am finding it extremely difficult to believe, but at the same time, the things are happening in this country in such a way that at least let him clear himself of this allegation. I think some enquiry should be conducted," he said.
Earlier, terming the corruption allegations made against him by Team Anna to be irresponsible and unfortunate, Dr. Singh said: "I will give up my public life if allegations are proved against me."
Supreme Court lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan had earlier criticized the Prime Minister, saying that the ruling Congress Party had been using his honest credentials as a 'shield' while perpetrating corruption with brazen impunity.
Bhushan questioned the Prime Minister's perceived hesitancy in dealing with corrupt minister and coalition allies.
"In the wake of certain reports suggesting that nearly half the cabinet ministers, and some very senior and influential minister are corrupt, or that despite being aware of their conduct, the Prime Minister continues to retain these persons in his cabinet, or that he had turned a blind eye towards corruption in a ministry under his control, then we ask what is the use of such honesty and integrity?" Bhushan told media in Ghaziabad.
"The Congress party repeatedly hails the honesty of the Prime Minister. He is projected as an honest leader of the government. So, I had said the Congress party was trying to use the Prime Minister and his clean image as a shield, just like the character of Shikhandi was used in the Hindu epic Mahabharata," he added.
Bhushan further called for the establishment of an independent panel to probe the allegations of graft levelled against senior cabinet ministers.
"The probe into allegations of corruption leveled against such senior and influential cabinet ministers must be carried out by an agency independent of the government. If the leaders are clear and honest and have not done anything wrong, then why are they shying away from the investigation? They must welcome the probe and cooperate," he said. (ANI)