Congress downplays AK Antony's 'bugging' issue, BJP demands probe

Congress on Friday downplayed the controversy surrounding the alleged bugging of the office room of Defence Minister AK Antony even as the BJP demanded a thorough probe into the matter.

"According to our information. There is no such thing. Defence Ministry is saying that it was a routine thing. No such thing has been found on the basis of which it can be said that any espionage was being done," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said.

He said since the issue is sensitive, further explanations can be given only by the Defence Ministry.

Another party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi earlier said the facts in this regard were being ascertained and "certainly, if the facts turned out true, it is a very serious issue".

"Where the issue of national security is concerned, there can be no two thoughts. Let the facts be investigated. The Defence ministry will itself disclose details in this matter. If such facts come before us, you be assured, that proper action will be taken in the matter," he said.

BJP dubbed the alleged bugging as a serious matter which should be thoroughly probed and wondered what the reasons were for "spying on senior ministers of the UPA government and the failure of authorities to prevent it".

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said this was not the first such case as there were reports that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's office was also bugged.

BJP has decided to raise the issue in Parliament in the forthcoming Budget Session.