Salman Khurshid praises 'extremely enlightened' Chidambaram

Law Minister Salman Khurshid today came to the defence of P Chidambaram describing him as an "extremely enlightened" minister and rubbishing opposition demands for the resignation of the home minister in the wake of the Finance Ministry note on the 2G issue.

"There is nothing to investigate in the note," Khurshid said hours after the CBI stoutly objected in the apex court to the Centre's stand that the agency will look into the Finance Ministry note, saying the government cannot dictate what the probe agency should do as it is an autonomous body.

Playing down the controversy over the conflicting stances, he said, "I was not there. I can't comment on what may have been said and what may not have transpired. Sometimes, when you are on your feet in court, things happen, sometimes things are said or done, which may not be exactly within the brief."

Khurshid, who had a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said, "I do believe that we need Chidambaram with full spirit full strength to move ahead with the things that we have to do."

Seeking to dismiss Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy's demand for a CBI probe against Chidambaram, he said, "You can ask for probe against anybody. But you have to go to the right court and ask for that probe."

"You can't ask Supreme Court to help you get a probe particularly in matters where charge sheet has been filed. This is the law," he said describing Chidambaram as "an extremely effective and an extremely enlightened minister."