3RD LD THAROOR 2LST

"No misuse of my official position was involved. The
issue has nothing to do with my ministry. As a minister, I was
in no position to influence the bid process, let alone its
outcome.
"Those who know me are aware that money has never been a
motivating factor for me in my actions or decisions," he said.
The BJP stepped up pressure on the government for his
removal and demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should
come to Parliament and make a statement on why he has not
sought the Minister's resignation or removed him from the
government.
"We want a structured debate. We need a statement from
the government. But the government is not ready for it," BJP
Spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
He alleged that the minister's Officer on Special Duty
(OSD) was present at the time of bidding.
"There is a clear case of quid pro quo for the minister
through the front of minister's friend getting undilutable
sweat equity in perpetuity," he said.
Tharoor's ministerial colleague and UPA constituent
Farooq Abdullah said he would leave it to Tharoor to decide
whether he should continue in the government but had he been
in Tharoor's position he would have resigned.
"I will go," Abdullah said, "to protect the honour of
not only my but of the country and the government.
" Congress sources said the Prime Minister's arrival from
abroad tomorrow was being awaited before a decision is taken
on Tharoor's fate.
The sources felt that the government has already
securing details of the bidding process and would be in a
position to decide on the issue in a couple of days before
Parliament resumes on Monday after the weekend. PTI ARC
AHM


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.



Delete & Prev | Delete & Next