New Delhi: Following the conviction of Union Coal Minster Shibu Soren as guilty of abducting and murdering his private secretary in 1994, opposition leaders of BJP demanded removal of all 'tainted' ministers, while Left allies said it would be untenable for Soren to continue in office.
The Prime Minister should explain in Parliament how he "misused his prerogative by inducting a criminal as minister," BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday.
"When we raised the issue of tainted ministers in the Union Cabinet in 2004, we were told that it was the Prime Minister's prerogative to choose ministers," Jaitley said adding that "the Prime Minister has no prerogative to induct criminals in his cabinet."
Major Left parties said it would be unsustainable for Soren to continue in government after a Delhi court held him guilty of conspiracy in the kidnap and murder of his former private secretary Shashi Nath Jha 12-years ago.
"The UPA had earlier said a Minister could continue till proven guilty. Though he could appeal in the higher courts, the UPA should stick to its commitment," CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said.
CPI National Secretary D Raja said once Soren has been convicted, "it becomes untenable for him to continue in government. The law should take its course".
Congress chose to give a guarded response to the developments with its leader and Union Minister Ambika Soni saying that "law will take its own course".
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