Sonia Gandhi defends Indian PM over sleaze calls

The leader of India's ruling  Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, on Wednesday called opposition  parties' attacks on the prime minister over an alleged  corruption scam "shameful", the strongest backing yet for  Manmohan Singh.     

Gandhi, who is considered the most powerful politician in  India and seen taking all key government decision, said the  Congress party always cracked down on corruption when it was  discovered. Gandhi's comments is seen putting to rest any  speculation of Singh having to resign.     

Singh has been called to defend himself with the Supreme  Court over his alleged failure to swiftly act on a complaint  against his now-sacked telecoms minister. Parliament has also  remained shut for the past two weeks over calls by the  opposition for a joint parliamenty investigation into the  scandal.