Abdullah says there should be no witch hunting

NEW DELHI: Amid the tape controversy, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah today supported his cabinet colleague Sharad Pawar's view that corporate witch hunting should be avoided.

"There should be no witch hunting. There is no doubt about it," Abdullah told reporters here.

He said he was in full agreement with Pawar on the issue.

"If a person like Ratan Tata feels (on corporate witch hunting) it is a concern for us," he said.

Pawar had reportedly cautioned the government against targeting corporate units without adequate reasons, saying it could have an adverse effect on the government's stability

Abdullah was asked to comment on Pawar's remarks that Government should take note of the Tata Group chairman's remarks that if such things continue then, India could well become a banana republic.

Tata had taken strong exception to the leakage of his conversation with corporate lobbyist Niira Radia.

Taking note of his concern, Pawar had yesterday said "When a person like him (Tata) makes a statement, I think we should take him seriously".