Congress ducks all queries on army bribe row

Congress on Monday steered clear of questions on Army Chief Gen VK Singh's allegations about bribe offer saying the party has nothing to say after Defence Minister AK Antony has given a "holistic" response on the issue.

"The defence minister has given a holistic response. He has replied to all these questions in his statement. I do not think we need to add anything to it after the defence minister has spoken," party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.

In a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Antony said the Army Chief had told him about retired Lt Gen Tejinder Singh allegedly offering him bribe of Rs14 crore, which he heard with "shock".

The minister responded to questions as to why he did not act on the allegation, saying he "could have acted" but did not do so because he had not received any written complaint.

"This happened more than one year ago. That is my memory. Exact date they (army officials) know because no one can meet the Army chief without any appointment," Antony said on Gen Singh's allegation in an interview that he was offered the bribe for consideration of purchase of "sub-standard" vehicles and he informed the minister about it.