Congress continues to parry question on Ashwani Kumar's fate

NEW DELHI: Congress today continued to parry questions on the fate of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar after the Supreme Court's observations in coal case and dismissed attempts to cast aspersions on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"I respect the fact that the Prime Minister played by the rules of natural justice and he waited till there is evidence. He is on record today, he has categorically stated that he is aware of the full facts of the case and that he will find a solution. I think we should wait," party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary told reporters at the AICC briefing.

She was responding to questions about the growing demand for the Law Minister's resignation after the SC's observations today.

Dismissing suggestions about the Prime Minister's involvement in the controversial exercise of making changes in the CBI's draft report, Chowdhary pointed out that "several individuals have come forward to say that they have full faith that it is not the Prime Minister, who gave any kind of orders for changing any kind of report. I do not think he is involved directly."

Maintaining that at this point the country needs his steady governance and his guidance, she said, "I am not aware of what contributes to Prime Minister's culpability."

"Singh is the Prime Minister of this country and holding him in such contempt and casting allegations and aspersions on his character finds us all wanting collectively, if we do that," she said.

She, however, ducked specific queries on whether Ashwini Kumar is on his way out.

"I have not said anything of that sort...I don't think I am qualifed to say that we will get rid of one individual or the other. I think you have to wait before you jump the gun. There is natural process to everything."

Regarding the court's observations, she said certain observations have been made and "Government will react in context of that subsequently".