2G scam: Anand Sharma says Chidambaram shouldn't be targeted

NEW YORK: Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma today came out in support of his Cabinet colleague home minister P Chidambaram, who is caught in a raging controversy over a 2G note, saying he should not be targeted and people should not rush to conclusions.

"The Supreme Court is hearing the matter. Let us leave it to the Court and not prejudge. What has been said by some opponents, critics against Home Minister P Chidambaram is very unfair," Sharma told reporters here on the sidelines of an investment forum.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is in the city for the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, had spoken to Chidambaram over phone from Frankfurt.

Singh had said Chidambaram "continues to enjoy and inspire my full confidence."

Sharma said he "backs" the statement made by Singh and added that "what the PM said is the final word."

"Chidambaram should not be targeted, people should not make judgement at or rush to conclusions. (They should) let the issue go through the judicial process."

Amid the snow-balling controversy, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is expected to meet Singh in New York on Sunday, rescheduling his departure from Washington, where he is currently attending key World Bank and IMF meetings.