PM says action on Tharoor only on basis of evidence

WASHINGTON: As a fresh controversy exploded over Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today promised to act against him, if necessary, on the basis of evidence.

"I have heard about these things (allegations against Tharoor). I do not have all the facts before me. When I go back (on Saturday), I will get all the facts, and in the light of those, if any action is necessary, I think that would be the proper way to proceed," Singh said here when asked about BJP's demand for the minister's removal in the wake of the controversy around Kochi IPL team.

"I cannot go by hearsay or what is appearing in the various columns of the newspapers," he told a press conference.

Tharoor is battling allegations that a beautician romantically linked to him had received Rs 70-crore free equity in Kochi IPL team, which he helped set up.

BJP had yesterday demanded that the Prime Minister sack Tharoor and order a CBI inquiry into the minister's alleged "misuse" of authority for "securing" the investment of his friend Sunanda Pushkar in the team.

It had also said that Tharoor's action was a copy book case of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act as the minister is a public servant.