Hugely embarrassed over the Supreme Court indictment of CBI on the coalgate, the Government on Tuesday went into a huddle to discuss measures to control the political damage. The party admits that the situation is not pleasant but will wait till May 8 when the Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the CBI’s another affidavit.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her political secretary Ahmad Patel held a meeting to discuss its fallout and the options available before the Government.
Following this, law Minister Ashwani Kumar, whose fate hangs in balance, met the Prime Minister to clarify his position over the entire controversy. In an effort to persuade Sonia, he also met Patel to discuss the matter following which the latter met the Prime Minister. later, the Congress Core Group also met in the evening to discuss the issue but no formal decision was taken about Kumar’s fate.
“I have not studied the Supreme Court’s observations. Whatever action is called for will be taken after studying it,” the PM told mediapersons.
A section within the Congress wants Ashwani to quit, but the PM is staunchly defending him as he realises that the resignation of the law Minister will put him directly in the line of fire.
This was reflected in Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi’s defensive stance over the entire issue. “Of course, it is not a pleasant comment for any dispensation, for any composition of the Government,” he said. He parried questions about Ashwani Kumar’s fate and party’s strategy to deal with the situation.
“I believe that the final opinion (of the SC) is yet to come and once it comes, an appropriate decision can be taken,” Dwivedi said. Another spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury also said that since there is lot more to come in future, it is temperate to wait till the matter is concluded.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari criticised leader of the Opposition in the lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj for making irresponsible statements against Sonia. He said that in the past 15 years Sonia has conducted herself with all seriousness and dignity both within and outside Parliament.