Bhartiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj [Images] appealed to expelled party leader Jaswant Singh [Images] to resign from the chairmanship of Public Accounts committee saying that the party would consider alternatives to get back the chairmanship of the PAC. The chairmanship of the PAC is traditionally held by a member of the opposition.

"I had requested Jaswant ji for an appointment and we met on July 31. He flatly refused to resign from the chairmanship of the PAC. I left the place without making any comment. I thought he was angry then and would agree later," Swaraj said. Swaraj was shocked when learnt that Singh had said that there was no question of resigning as he had been appointed by the speaker and he was well within his rights to continue in the post. "I have worked with him for sometime and it would be in the fitness of things if he were to resign. Some of our MP's did not attend the meeting called by him. I request him publicly to quit otherwise we would have to talk to the Speaker," Swaraj said.

This is the first time that the BJP has gone on record on this matter. Swaraj maintained that Singh was appointed by the party and not by the speaker.