As a controversy erupted over reported attempts of bugging his office, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday asked the media not to waste time on "bogus things".

"All these are bogus things. Don't waste your time on this," he shot back at reporters who sought replies on his statement yesterday that the intelligence bureau (IB) found nothing in alleged bugging of his offices.

Reported bugging of the offices of the minister and his aides in North Block has raised the hackles of those in government and opposition parties have demanded an investigation, calling it a serious issue.

"In respect of news item regarding bugging in my office, the IB investigated into it and found there is nothing in it," Mukherjee had said on Tuesday.

Describing the reported bugging as "India's Watergate", leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had sought to know if the government was spying on its own minister or a corporate house was doing so.

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Congress slams "frustrated" BJP 's comments

GN Bureau

Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan on Wednesday lashed out at the BJP over its comments on the issue of the bugging of finance ministry offices, including that of minister Pranab Mukherjee and his advisor Omita Paul.

Calling the BJP's comments "rabble-rousing", Natarajan said, "BJP is frustrated after its defeat in the recent assembly elections and the last general elections. But we hope, that it conforms to its role as a constructive opposition."

However, she refused to comment on the issue of the FM's office being bugged and said that the issue was very serious. "However, we can not comment on the issue until it has been investigated thoroughly," she added.