Guilty in 2G scam will be punished severely: Antony

Kochi, Apr 7: Defence Minister A K Antony today (Apr 7) said Congress would not allow political interference to hamper the probe in the 2G spectrum scam and severe action would be taken against those found guilty.

The CBI is investigating the 2G scam which is also being monitored by the Supreme Court, the Public Accounts Committee and the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Antony told a press conference here.

"There will not be any political interference in the investigation. CBI probe is going on. Let the report come out. Wait for JPC and PAC reports," he said, adding that severe action would be taken against those found guilty.

Replying to another question, he said he had no plans to resign from the Union Cabinet over the scams, including the CWG and Adarsh housing scams.

"When there are allegations, Congress does not play hide and seek," he said.

When pointed out that he was campaigning ''aggressively'' for the April 13 Kerala Assembly elections, Antony said he had to be active during crucial elections in his own state.

"My roots are here. I cannot remain as an NRI in Delhi when a crucial election is in my state," he said.

"There is no change in my character. I am the same old A K Antony...I was the Chief Minister thrice. During election time I am a Congress man and not a Central Minister," he said.

State Congress leaders Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala are leading the campaign in the state.

Taking a dig at Chief Minister V S Achtunandan, he said his "so-called" crusade against corrupt leaders and sexual exploiters was only a "smokescreen".

"During the last five years, how many corrupt cases have been filed and action taken? What action has been taken against mafia gangs?"

He said Achuthanandan was speaking the "language of Opposition leader" and CPI(M) workers were also unhappy with his style of functioning.

Antony said the present Kerala Chief Minister was one of the founder leaders of CPI(M), but he was removed from the Politburo while his juniors were still in it.

PTI