Resignation is the 'only option' for PM, says BJP

NEW DELHI: Sharpening its attack in the wake of resignations of two Union ministers on charges of impropriety, BJP on Saturday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to do an honest introspection and step down as it is the "only option" for him.

BJP President Rajnath Singh told reporters here that elections are the only alternative in the present circumstances as the UPA government has "failed completely" on all fronts, including economy, internal and external security as well as governance.

He announced a nation-wide "court arrest agitation" from May 27 to June 2 under which the party cadre and leaders would reach out to the people and apprise them of the failures of the government.

"If the Prime Minister does an honest introspection, then resignation is the only option for him," Singh said.

He also targeted former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, saying if his contention that he is innocent is true then whom was he trying to defend by making changes in the CBI status report on the coal scam issue.

"The heart of the report was changed. We want to know from Ashwani Kumar in whose defence he was making the changes.... He should tell us why he had to become the scapegoat. Whom was he trying to save and to protect whom he had to resign," Singh said.

He asked the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi whether there is any place left for ethics and principles in politics or will ministers step down only after the Supreme Court makes adverse comments.