CBI raids wrong, says Cong, as it throws its weight behind Chidambaram

The Congress Tuesday put its weight behind party leader P Chidambaram, saying the CBI raids against him and his in connection with an 11-year-old case are "wrong" and aimed at diverting attention from the key issues of inflation and unemployment.

The party also said P Chidambaram is a nationalist and patriot whose commitment to the country is beyond question.

The CBI registered a fresh case against Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram to probe the allegation of facilitating visas of 250 Chinese nationals in lieu of Rs 50 lakh when his father P Chidambaram was Union home minister.

The agency also conducted coordinated searches at 10 locations in multiple cities including the Chidambarams' residences in Chennai and Delhi.

Senior Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken told reporters at a press conference here that the "raids were wrong".

"The Congress party stands behind P Chidambaram. This is being done to divert the attention of people from the issue of rising inflation and unemployment," he told reporters.

"The issue is being raised 12 years later and Chidambaram has also raised questions on the timings of the raids," Maken said.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Mr P Chidambaram is a nationalist and a patriot, whose commitment to the country is unquestionable."