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PM rejects Jethmalani's charge

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today rejected former law minister Ram Jethmalani's views about Attorney General Soli Sorabjee and Chief Justice of India A S Anand, saying his government completely disagreed with his perception of the facts.

Stating in the Lok Sabha that he had gone through the statements of the former law minister regarding the Chief Justice and the attorney general, Vajpayee said, "My government does not share the views of Jethmalani with regard to the subject matter on which he has spoken."

"We completely disagree with his perception of the facts," Vajpayee said, adding, "The government believes in promoting a harmonious relationship between different wings of the State."

Dissatisfied with the prime minister's response, agitated Congress members walked out of the House with the party's deputy leader, Madhavrao Scindia, charging Vajpayee with making a "highly generalised" statement.

Without going into the question of the correctness of any possible view involved on the issues on which Jethmalani corresponded with Chief Justice of India, the prime minister said, "I was of the opinion that even the difference of opinion between the Chief Justice and the law minister should not create any imbalance in the harmonious relationship."

In his brief statement made shortly after Question Hour, Vajpayee said, "In order to ensure harmonious relationship is not only maintained but strengthened, I exercise my prerogative and asked Jethmalani to resign."

He said, "I have gone into the text of his statements issued yesterday against the Chief Justice and attorney general. I reiterate that my government completely disagrees with his perception."

Urging Speaker G M C Balayogi to allow a discussion on the issue in the House, Scindia said a number of clarifications sought by the Opposition had not been answered by Vajpayee.

He said members wanted to know how the confidential correspondence between the law minister and the Chief Justice had been leaked to the media.

The Opposition had paralysed both Houses yesterday on the Jethmalani issue demanding a statement from the prime minister.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Jethmalani accuses PM of discourtesy
Government denies Jethmalani's charges
Parliament in turmoil over Jethmalani issue
Jethmalani threatens to go public
Union Law Minister Jethmalani resigns

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