PTI

New Delhi, Jan 13: The Congress on Monday said it favours "every step" to unearth the "massive fraud" behind the Satyam Computers but steered clear of the question whether it wanted a CBI probe. The AICC dismissed opposition charges that party leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajshekhar Reddy played "godfather" to promoters of the controversial software firm.

"I think Mr. Reddy has done everything according to law," Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natrajan told reporters asking BJP to instead "check the record of TDP chief and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu." Describing it as "a serious national issue", she said every aspect of the matter, howsoever far and remote, should be deeply examined and perpetrators of this fraud brought to book and punished.

"We would be in favour of every step that is required to unearth this massive fraud that has been played on the people of India, which has dented investors' confidence," she said replying to a question whether the party favours a CBI probe. "The UPA at the Centre and the state government of Andhra Pradesh have declared with alacrity their decision to get the matter thoroughly probed and punish those who are guilty. And that should be done," she added.

She replied in negative to a question whether the fraud had dented the image of the party in any way saying "I do not think the image of Congress is dented in any way."