Not proper to seek Pawan Bansal's resignation before final CBI report: Mayawati

NEW DELHI: It was "not appropriate" to seek resignation of Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal over the bribery scandal before CBI files a final report on the issue after its investigations, BSP chief Mayawati said today.

"The issue is being investigated by the CBI and it should not prolong its probe in this case and keep its report before the nation as soon as possible.

"Till the time CBI report does not come out, it would not be appropriate to ask for the resignation of the Railway Minister in a hurry," she told reporters outside Parliament House complex.

The BSP supremo was asked to comment on the opposition demand for Bansal's resignation after his nephew was held by the CBI for allegedly taking bribe for appointment of a Railway Board member.

When asked about UPA accepting resignations of allies like former Telecom Ministers A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran but shielding Congress members like Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and Bansal, Mayawati said, "We are not UPA constituents and are giving only outside support to it."

Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla was arrested in Chandigarh for allegedly accepting Rs 90 lakh in cash from Manjunath, the conduit of Mahesh Kumar, recently promoted as Member (Staff), Railway Board.

Kumar was allegedly trying to get a lucrative position as Member (Electrical), Railway Board.

Bansal had issued a statement distancing himself from the incident involving his nephew. "Though a close relative, he or any other relative of mine does not and cannot meddle in my official function or influence my decision. There is also no business relationship between his and my family," he had said in the statement.