New Delhi: Congress on Thursday saw nothing wrong in Union Ministers expressing concerns over industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla being named by CBI in coal scam case saying no one should jump to a conclusion till facts arrive.
Party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary at the same time said there is no question of undermining any agency or protecting any individual.
"Today this matter is between court and CBI. It`s their matter.. Whatever happens, as the evidence comes out, it will be decided. But in between trading charges against each other is injustice. Have some patience. Truth will come out once the inquiry is over," Chowdhary told reporters at AICC briefing.
Rejecting the Opposition`s attack over the ministers`s remarks, the Congress spokesperson wondered "what is the statement they have made?"
"They(ministers) have said that...When these sorts of accusations start flying and everyone is speculating, any kind of speculation will have a negative impact on the industrial growth, atmosphere. That`s it. No one has said that you should protect individuals. Nobody has said that."
"We have not done any kind of veracity on what CBI has said. I have categorically said that it is between the court and CBI what they are going to find. In the meantime, can we please not have random speculation and jump to conclusions. That is the precise thing," she said.
Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot said such a development will dampen investment sentiment while Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma termed it as unfortunate.
Chowdhary added be it Kumar Mangalam Birla or anybody else, one should be cautious before saying anything.
"Today a question has been raised but evidence have not come. So it is better, we work with a little patience. There is nothing like protecting anybody. Till you come to a conclusion, kindly do not jump to a conclusion," she said.
To a question on whether AICC will ask its ministers not to jump the gun, she said it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.
Responding to remarks by former Coal Secretary P C Parakh that the Prime Minister must be counted as a "conspirator" if there was a scam in the coal block allocations, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said "unwarranted and uncalled for" comments should be avoided on the matter.
