'Buta is no Congressman. Let the govt decide on him'

National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman Buta Singh could be heading for trouble with the Congress saying it was up to the government to decide on his continuance as head of the Commission after the CBI arrested his son Sarobjit Singh in an alleged corruption case.

The party washed its hands off Singh saying he was expelled long back despite the NCSC Chairman stressing on Friday that his association with Congress was a long one.

"Law will take its own course and it is for the government to look into it," All India Congress Committee media department in-charge Janardan Dwivedi said when asked whether Singh should continue as the NCSC Chairman.

Dwivedi said Singh was no longer a Congressman as he was 'expelled' during the Lok Sabha election after he contested as a rebel candidate from Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, Singh said he would seek an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to explain his position in the matter. Although repeatedly ruling

out the possibility of his resigning as the NCSC Chairman's post after his son's arrest in the case, Singh indicated that he may think over the matter if any indication comes from Congress.

"I have not committed any wrong. Hence, the question of resigning does not arise. But I have also been connected with a party for long. I will see, whether any indication comes from there."

Asked whether he still considers himself a Congressman after contesting the last Lok Sabha election as a rebel, Buta Singh said, "Only I know the circumstances in which I had to contest as a rebel candidate. I have been connected with Congress for long."

CBI arrested Sarobjit on Friday morning for allegedly demanding bribe of Rs one crore from a Nasik-based contractor to close a case registered against him. A case against the businessman is pending before the Commission.

According to the complainant, Sarobjit had demanded a sum of Rs one crore from him to close the case registered against him under the SC/ST Act.