New Delhi, Dec 20 (IBNS) Talking tough against corruption, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday asserted that no person, whether a top official or a powerful politician, would be spared if found guilty of malpractices.
 
 Seeking to lead by example, Singh added that he was ready to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament for questioning in the 2G scam.
 
 Taking head-on Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) corruption charges against him on the 2G Spectrum allocation scam, the prime minister blamed the BJP of falsely propagating that the UPA government is against the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the scam.
 
 “I wish to state categorically that I have nothing to hide from the public at large and as a proof of my bonafides I intend to write to the Chairman of the PAC that I shall be happy to appear before the PAC if it chooses to ask me to do so,” Singh said, delivering his address at the All Indian Congress Committee (AICC) plenary session underway at Burari, near here.
 
 Singh added, “I sincerely believe that like Caesar's wife, the Prime Minister should be above suspicion and it is for this reason that I am prepared to appear before the PAC even though there is no precedent to this effect.”
 
 He also criticized the Opposition for stalling Parliament proceedings over the JPC demand.
 
 “One wonders what kind of politics the opposition believes in when they do not have faith even in Parliament,” the prime minister said.
 
 Maintaining the Congress party had absolutely no tolerance for corruption, he said, “We have always strived to eradicate corruption and we will continue to do so…..Whether at the Centre or in the States, we have asked our Ministers and Chief Ministers to step down merely on the basis of suspicion because we practice and believe in principled politics.”
 
 In an apparent attack at the BJP for failing to act against its Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa facing allegations of involvement in a land scam, Singh said, “We are not like some opposition parties which insist on retaining their tainted Chief Ministers despite scandal after scandal.”
 
 “We are conducting a thorough probe in all aspects of the organization of the Commonwealth Games and the 2G Spectrum allocation…..And it is my promise to you that no guilty person will be spared - whether he is a political leader or a government official, whichever party he may belong to and howsoever powerful he may be,” the prime minister said.
 
 He said his government will carefully consider the five-point suggestions by party president Sonia Gandhi on prevention of corruption.
 
 "Soniaji has outlined our approaches. I wish to assure Soniaji that our government will pay careful attention to the five point agenda she suggested," he said.
 
 He said only Congress can take the country forward and if Congress is strong the nation is strong.  
 
 "I appeal to all to strengthen Congress. Give all your energy to strengthen it," he told the Congress 83rd plenary gathering.
 
 Singh also praised Sonia Gandhi’s leadership and said, “Shrimati Gandhi’s humility, her belief in principled politics, and her deep commitment to make the Congress a strong political organization inspire and empower us.”