Embarrassed with the indictment by the apex court on coalgate issue, Congress today reacted cautiously on continuation of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar Union Cabinet but asserted its response will not be found wanting when the complete facts emerge.
"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.
Dwivedi at the same time added "as far as the comments of the Supreme Court are concerned, I believe that the final opinion is yet to come and once it comes, an appropriate decision can be taken."
The Supreme Court today said CBI's act of sharing the status report on Coalgate with the government has "shaken" the entire investigation process and vowed to "liberate" the agency from political influence and interference.
At the AICC briefing, party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary said, "We go by what the highest court of the country says.... We do not comment on what the court has said and we very humbly accept what the court says."
Maintaining that the matter is still "sub judice" and it would be jurisprudence to wait till one gets the full facts of the "developing situation", Chowdhary significantly added, "I have also given an assurance that you will not find us wanting in any issue", when the full facts emerge.
Chowdhary evaded a direct question on whether Kumar will continue as Law Minister.
"I am not competent authority to answer this. This is for the government or the Prime Minister, who will take a decision. And we will see. As I have said that this is an ongoing situation. Let's examine all the facts and I have also given an assurance that you will not find us wanting," she said.
A leader speaking on condition of anonymity said parleys are being held at senior level and a decision either way depends on how it pans out in next few days.
