The Congress on Thursday demanded that the Justice Pathak probe, which is probing the findings of the Volcker Report on Iraq's corrupt oil-for-food scam, must also look into accusations that a very close associate of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was involved in the Iraqi oil scam.
The government, however, remained non-committal on the demand with Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunshi telling reporters that till now no situation has developed to expand the terms of reference of the Justice R S Pathak Inquiry Authority.
Party spokesman Anand Sharma said a report in Outlook magazine's Hindi edition Sapthahik quoted former governor Romesh Bhandari saying that a very close associate of Vajpayee had direct contact with Saddam's son Uday, who was smuggling and selling oil to this person, should be investigated.
"The investigation cannot be selective. Truth must come out on who went on chartered flights, who went on official tours. The investigative agencies should compile the information and give it to the Inquiry Authority", he said.
Dasmunshi said it would be more appropriate if the BJP should on its own demand the broadening of the Inquiry Authority as the saffron party always speaks about morality and transparency.
Replying to a question, he said the government had not foreclosed the option. "They (BJP) should come out (on their own) otherwise we will have to take the path of Agatha Christie".