PM says not quitting

Appeals to Opposition to let Parliament function Anita Saluja New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ruled out his own resignation and that of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar on the coalgate scam. "This is not the first time in the last nine years, how many times the Opposition has demanded my resignation? But I would like to appeal to the Opposition that they should let parliament function. By not allowing parliament to function, we are making a mockery of our system of democracy. The whole world is laughing at us. Whatever the issues, these can be debated, discussed and decisions arrived at through proper dialogue in parliament," stated the Prime Minister. Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of the investiture ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Prime Minister also ruled out the resignation of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar. "There is no question of the Law Minister resigning. The matter is now in the court and it is sub-judice. Therefore, it is not proper for me to do anything, but there is no question of the Law Minister resigning." A Reacting to the BJP charge that he was using the Law Minister to cover himself from the coalgate probe, he said, "I would not like to comment on this subject. It is a matter, which is now before the court and it is sub-judice." According to sources, though the Congress leadership is peeved with Ashwani Kumar for holding a meeting with senior officials of the CBI on coalgate issue, it finds itself in a precarious situation. It cannot afford to remove the Law Minister from the Council of Ministers, which would be construed as admitting to meddling with the draft report on the coalgate scam. Ashwani Kumar is stated to have sent an e-mail to the Joint Secretary in the PMO for attending the crucial meeting, when there was no need for it. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, so far, is adamant that Ashwani Kumar will not be removed, but if the situation turns more controversial after the Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday, they may not mind sacrificing him. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath is believed to have told NDA Working Chairman L K Advani that if the Opposition is adamant on not allowing parliament to function, it may as well be concluded earlier than the scheduled date of May 10. The government is mulling curtailing the Budget Session at least by one week, with the Opposition firm on not allowing Parliament to function. Any decision, however, is expected to crystallise after the Supreme Court takes a view on the CBI affidavit. In case of any strictures against the Government, the Opposition may only step up its offensive. All that the government wants is putting all the Demands of Grants of the Ministries to guillotine and the passing of the Finance Bill. Speaker Meira Kumar has made it known that she does not want the guillotine and passing of Finance Bill amid din. She wants the House to be in order and wants the guillotine and passing of Finance Bill to take place in an orderly fashion. Kamal Nath will also be meeting leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj on Monday. Early next week, the picture could be become clear on whether or not the Budget Session of parliament will be cut short.