Letters to the PM

Office of the Prime Minister
Race Course Road, New Delhi
Sub: Resignation of various ministers
To
All Cabinet ministers,
It has been observed by Honourable PM that members of Cabinet have not followed party8217;s strict policy on resignation. However the PM is happy to commend Nitish Kumar who said he had resigned, George Fernandes, Gingee Ramachandran and, of late, Dr M M Joshi. A special mention has to be made of Mamata Bannerjee who has actually resigned from the Cabinet several times. We understand she has not offered to resign so far because she has not been allocated any portfolio.

Views from members of the Cabinet are solicited.
The Prime Minister

Sir,
As you know I have resigned on the issue of Tehelka but you asked me to return. This again is to request you to allow me to resign on any other issue. I realise my last resignation was about two years ago and most people have forgotten about it. Could I resign because the Opposition does not let me speak in Parliament?
George Fernandes

Dear George,
The PM feels that if you cannot think of an issue to resign you are unfit to hold office. Please take a leaf out of Mamata8217;s book off or a page out of Dr Joshi8217;s katha.
Office of the PM

To
The PM,
I have not resigned on the issue on increase in railway accidents so far. Could I resign on it? Also do let me know when you are going abroad so that I can time my resignation.
Nitish Kumar

Dear Nitish,
Please do not resign when the Prime Minister is on a foreign tour. This is a privilege only for senior ministers.
A B Vajpayee

To
The PMO,
I resigned on the issue of a CBI case against me wherein my private secretary was arrested on corruption charges. Now that I am back as Minister can I have my same PA back? His absence is affecting the efficiency of the Ministry. I wouldn8217;t mind if he operates from jail.
Gingee Ramachandran

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Dear Gingee,
The jail manual is under revision. We will look into this.

To the PMO
Sir,
I have very very very reluctantly withdrawn my resignation. You know how emotionally I am attached to the issue of Ram temple. As you know I am for a Ram temple in Ayodhya but I am also against false and motivated CBI chargesheet against me for destruction of the Babri Masjid the place where the temple existed. Following my withdrawal of resignation I suggest a probe be ordered on why others who were exonerated did not follow the resignation policy of the govt.
Dr MM Joshi

From the PMO
We understand that Mr LK Advani has already ordered an enquiry into why he was exonerated in the Babri case when his views on the Ram temple were known to everyone. Meanwhile, Dr Joshi is advised to keep his next resignation in abeyance because other senior ministers also want to resign when the PM is on foreign tour.
S/d for A B Vajpayee

To the PMO
Sir,
Please give me a ministry one more time so that I can resign for the last time before the elections.
Mamata Bannerjee

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From the PMO,
The prerogative of selecting Ministers to resign just before the elections lies entirely with the Prime Minister. Since Ms Bannerjee is appearing extra anxious to resign her request for a portfolio is deferred.