Click to play videoNew Delhi: In a fresh attempt to clear his name from the Oil-for-Food controversy, suspended Congress leader and former external affairs minister Natwar Singh on Friday claimed that he had gone to Iraq only in his capacity as a part of a Congress delegation and that he briefed his party supremo Sonia Gandhi about all the discussions that were held there.
"During my entire stay in Baghdad, there were no discussion or talks with regard to the Oil-for-Food program. There was no mention on oil contracts, vouchers, receipts or banks accounts," Natwar said.
"The Congress delegation was an entirely political delegation. On my return I briefed the Congress president about our substantive, political discussions in Baghdad," he said, insisting that at no stage "did I ask for any favours for myself or my son."
Natwar also claimed that no illegality, whether in India or internationally, had been committed.
A tamed Natwar, who now seemed keen on building the bridge with his party, was full of praise for the Congress President, time and again underlining the fact that "till now, in her generousity and kindness, Sonia Gandhi has said nothing against me. And neither have I said anything against her," he added.
""The report has many flaws. But it has said there is no evidence on the basis of which the finger of suspicion could be pointed at either me or my son. I am spotless. My son is spotless," Natwar claimed.
He added that Volcker hasn't produced any evidence of financial gains against him or his son. "The Pathak Commission has completely absolved me and my son."
He also said that no evidence was produced in the Volcker report to justify "why, when and who included my name and that of the Congress Party in the report submitted in October 2005."
Claiming that Volcker was biased in his report, Natwar said, "Mr Volcker has gone on record saying that he has changed the language of his report so that no shadow was cast on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his son Kojo."
"Nowhere have I been given the benefit of doubt," the senior Congress leader said, adding that Volcker submitted his report at the end of September 2005 and had mentioned his name and that of the Congress party in an annexure.
Singh went on to say that "not a leaf moves in the Congress party without Sonia Gandhi's knowledge." This was based on his long experience with the party, he said.
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