Ram just can8217;t keep quiet 8212; PM

NEW DELHI, JULY 28: Prime Minister Vajpayee who had maintained silence so far, today defended both Attorney General Soli Sorabjee and Chie...

NEW DELHI, JULY 28: Prime Minister Vajpayee who had maintained silence so far, today defended both Attorney General Soli Sorabjee and Chief Justice of India A S Anand, against Ram Jethmalani8217;s allegations in both Houses of Parliament since quot;there was no way the duo could present their views8221;. The Government has ordered an inquiry by the Chief Vigilance Officer of the law ministry into the possession of secret documents by former Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani while the opposition insisted on a probe by an independent agency.

8220;Without going into the correctness of any possible view involved on the issue on which Jethmalani corresponded with Chief Justice of India, I was of the opinion that even a difference of opinion between the Chief Justice and Law Minister should not create any imbalance in the harmonious relationship,8221; Vajpayee said. Jethmalani was removed from the Cabinet to ensure that the harmonious relationship is not only maintained but strengthened also, he said.

Vajpayee blamed Jethmalani of being 8220;too vocal8221; which was why he had to go. 8220;My former Law Minister just cannot keep quiet,8221; he said adding despite his repeated advice, Jethmalani went on expressing views even on issues that did not really concern his ministry.

The former Law Minister was asked to send in his resignation as 8220;the cup had been filled to the brim8221; and a deep rift had developed between the judiciary and executive, he said.

The Prime Minister asked the Rajya Sabha members whether they were questioning his prerogative to retain or remove any Minister. Vajpayee asserted that he would not succumb to any pressure. 8220;The day I do that you would not find me in Parliament.8221;

On queries regarding Sorabjee8217;s opinion on the conduct of Jethmalani in the M.S. Shoes case, Prime Minister said the A-G has given his views and investigations were on.

Taking umbrage to Sorabjee advising Hinduja brothers, Kapil Sibal Congress demanded that Government should tell the A-G to step down since the latter was in habit of advising private parties. Law Minister Arun Jaitley however, came to the A-G8217;s defence saying he was free to advise anyone with the permission of the Law Minister. Sibal8217;s retort was 8220;it is not a matter of permission but of impropriety8221;.

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Suresh Pachauri of Congress demanded that A-G be summoned to the House so that members could seek clarifications from him. He cited two precedents8211; in 1963 and 1986 8211; when Parliament had resolved to summon the AG. Jaitley again rejected the demand.