Rahul, Sibal back PM

As he came under fire on the 2G spectrum issue, the Congress party today mounted a strong defence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Rahul Gandhi and new Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal backing him to the hilt.

As he came under fire on the 2G spectrum issue, the Congress party on Friday mounted a strong defence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Rahul Gandhi and new Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal backing him to the hilt.

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"I don't think he is in an embarrassing position at all," Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament, throwing the weight of the Congress behind the Prime Minister.

The Congress General Secretary was asked whether the Supreme Court's observation has put the Prime Minister in an embarrassing position.

Sibal, who was given additional charge of telecom portfolio after the resignation of A Raja, said as far as the Prime Minister's Office is concerned "we are absolutely clear that we have done no wrong."

"In fact, I do believe that the Prime Minister is a man of integrity. I don't think that anybody in this country believes that he was trying to circumvent the law," he said.

Attacking Subramaniam Swamy, who has approached the Supreme Court seeking sanction for prosecution of former Telecom Minister Raja, Sibal said it would be sad for the country if sanction is expected merely on the basis of newspapers reports.

"If an individual, who believed himself to be an investigating agency, does not take recourse to law and expects on the basis of newspapers reports for the Prime Minister to respond and sanction, it will be a sad day for the country," he said.