(REOPENS DEL18)

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the party will raise the issue of "misuse" of office by the retired judge in the forthcoming session of Parliament. "The way the Congress leaders and spokespersons have supported Katju further establishes our doubts that is working under an agenda. It is serious matter that he appears to be seen siding with the Congress and the Congress supporting him," he told reporters. Claiming that PCI chief's impartiality is under a cloud after his recent statements, Prasad said "Congress does politics through some selected NGOs, the CBI, Income Tax and other agencies. Now will the Congress do politics through quasi-judicial bodies?" Another BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the "distinct bias" in Katju's utterances has now been fully established. "Katju is a government appointee and his salary and perks come from the government. Even the Press Council of India accounts are audited by the CAG," Rudy said. BJP maintained that since Katju holds a quasi-judicial posts he should restrict himself to the given mandate- to hear complaints and appeals- and not indulge in politics. BJP insisted that it is an issue of "propriety" that Katju should not indulge in politics as long as he is holding a quasi-judicial post. "Katju is free to voice his opinion. He can write and publish editorials and articles and make public speeches or even go to Jantar Mantar but before doing so he should relinquish his post. If Katju wants to do politics he should first resign," Rudy said. The main opposition described Katju as a "freelancer" and a "loose canon".