Govt may wait till May 8 for decision on Law Minister

Many in the party and the govt believe it will be better if the Law Minister puts in his papers

Left grappling with a mess after the Supreme Court's indictment, government and the Congress today deliberated at length on the continuation of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar in the Cabinet but a decision may wait till the next hearing in the Coalgate on May 8.

As opposition mounted its demand for Kumar's removal, sections in the party as well as in the government are said to feel that instead of waiting for the apex court to make more damning observations in the days to come, it will be better if the Law Minister puts in his papers on moral grounds to save the government from further embarrassment.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had last week strongly defended Kumar ruling out his resignation, today said any action required will be taken after he studies the observations made by the top court.

"I have not studied the Supreme Court's observations. Whatever action is called for will be taken after studying it," Singh told reporters here.

The issue came up for discussion in a meeting of Congress Core Group where a view is said to have emerged that Government will await the May 8 hearing of the Supreme Court on the issue before taking any final view on Kumar, sources said.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi chairs the high-power group with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and some senior ministers as members.

Reacting to the court's strong observations, the Congress has reacted with caution on the matter.

"Of course, it is not a pleasant comment for any dispensation, for any composition of the Government," party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said on the Supreme Court observations on the issue, a clear indication of the growing discomfiture in the party over the controversy.