Congress downplays CBI raids

The Congress party is trying to downplay the impact of the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raids on those connected with the 2G spectrum scam.

Even as the CBI today conducted searches at the premises of an NGO linked with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s MP daughter, Kanimozhi, auditors of her mother and former Union telecom minister A Raja, Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi said, “We trust our allies. And this trust is mutual.”

Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel and some senior leaders today came to the party office to discuss preparations for the AICC plenary session. Party sources claimed the leaders informally discussed the political scenario arising out of the CBI investigations but concluded that the DMK may not walk out of the alliance when the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu were due next year.

Before leaving the office, Patel told reporters he did not see any possibility of a break-up between the Congress and the DMK. “Has the DMK given any reaction even after so many hours have passed after the raids were conducted? This shows our alliance will not be affected,” said Patel.

Dwivedi said: “Let the inquiry take place.... these will prove the point.”