NEW DELHI, Oct 29 (UNI): The Janata Dal (United) today demanded Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Exterma; Affairs Minister Natwar Singh to step down from their offices following the disclosures by a UN Committee that the Congress and Singh were among the 'non-contractual beneficiaries in the UN's oil-for-food programme for Iraq.
JD(U) spokesman Dr Shambu Srivastava said the Committee, headed by Volcker had clearly stated that the Congress, headed by Gandhi and Singh were listed as beneficiaries from the Switzerland based company Masefield AG.
The CBI should register an FIR and begin a probe to identify those who all figured in the questionable deal.
He said continuance of these two leaders in their position would put the national security in jeopardy and they should be made to quit their posts immediately and facilitate the probe until they are cleared of the charges.
The J D (U), he said will not allow them to run away and approach the Court if necessary.
They have been caught very badly in 'anti-national action' by a UN body and probe should reveal where the money was deposited and who were the other beneficiaries.
Oil kickback Cong may take legal action NEW DELHI, Oct 29 (UNI): Vehemently denying the charge in a UN Committee Report of being a beneficiary in the Iraq Food for Oil Programme, the Congress today said its team of legal experts wasexamining the report to explore the possibility of taking legalrecourse on the issue.
"We reject and deny it completely and categorically," Congress Spokesman Anand Sharma said at a special press briefing organised to clarify the party's position regarding reference to news story about a UN Report listing Congress as one of the beneficiaries of Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme.
"We have no connection with any company, individual or entity associated with it," Sharma said, adding, "We take it seriously.
We shall not allow any agency to sully the fair name of the Congress." "We are looking at every possibility.
When our legal team reaches some conclusion, we will take action," the Spokesman said.
"The Congress has upheld the highest tradition in our democracy.
We are transparent in our approach." Reacting to the BJP criticism and JD(U) demand for Congress President to step down, Sharma said people from these parties had no business to say so as their own people have been caught on the camera taking bribe.
"We have nothing to hide.
We will face it squarely." On being pointed out that External Affairs Minster Natwar Singh's name too figures in the list of beneficiaries of the programme, the Congress Spokesman said, "Singh has already issued a statement.
He was returning to India and was fully capable of replying to the charge.
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