BJP demands Khurshid's resignation for fair probe

Charging the ruling Congress of running away from investigation on every scandal taking place in the country, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, who is facing allegations of forging signature of officials to benefit the Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, should tender his resignation from the Manmohan Singh-led UPA II government, so that a free and fair investigation is conducted into the matter.

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman alleged that the Congress is at the moment not ready to give a befitting reply to anybody's question.

"In today's scenario, the Congress is running away from inquiry on every scandal. The BJP believes that the Congress is running away from inquiry on every scandal that is taking place. They are not ready to answer to anybody's questions," she said.

Sitharaman further said that a fair, free and open trial or investigation much before the trial couldn't be conducted if the law minister continues to remain in office.

"We have said this in the context of the coal scam as well. When the CBI of this country, which is a premier investigative agency, is going to inquire into the coal scam with the CBI reporting to the prime minister there will not be a possibility of a fair, free and open trial or investigation much before the trial. The same law applies here," said Sitharaman.

"So if it is the law minister and his trust about which an inquiry has to happen, certainly by his position the expectation that there will be a free and fair inquiry cannot be met," she added, when asked whether Khurshid should tender his resignation so that a fair investigation is conducted

Sitharaman further pointed out that it is important that a complete independent inquiry is done on this matter.

"And certainly if there is nothing to worry, the Union law minister should be ready for an open inquiry," she added.

Image: Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid