New Delhi:
Ashwani Kumar today insisted that his "conscience remains clear," and that he resigned as Law Minister "to put an end to controversy." Addressing the media at his residence, Mr Kumar added that his resignation does not "imply wrongdoing," that "certain political decisions need to be taken," and that he remains a "loyal foot soldier of the (Congress) party." (Read his full statement)
Mr Kumar was censured on May 8 by the Supreme Court for making significant changes to a Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI report on its coal scam investigations, which only the court was meant to see.
Amidst growing demands from the Opposition for his ouster, Mr Kumar, who initially refused to quit, had to finally resign. What perhaps sealed his fate was Congress President Sonia Gandhi's reported displeasure over him continuing as Law Minister. He handed over his resignation to the Prime Minister, who had been backing him, a couple of hours after the Congress chief met the Prime Minister on Friday evening.
Mr Kumar, however, remains unapologetic, and insisted "no adverse comments were made against me by the Supreme Court." This despite the court's stinging comments that the CBI had no business giving access to a report meant for judges to the Law Minister and two government officials in March.
The court has said, "the heart of the report was changed on the suggestion of government officials," and added that the Law Minister could not "interfere with investigations." In its nine-page affidavit, the CBI had detailed three "significant changes" made by the Law Minister and officials in the Coal Ministry and Prime Minister's Office, to a draft of its coal report.
The "coal-gate" scandal revolves around allegations that the UPA government adopted a flawed policy in allotting coal fields to private firms. It is particularly sensitive for the UPA because the Prime Minister held the coal portfolio for part of the period under investigation.
Mr Kumar was censured on May 8 by the Supreme Court for making significant changes to a Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI report on its coal scam investigations, which only the court was meant to see.
Amidst growing demands from the Opposition for his ouster, Mr Kumar, who initially refused to quit, had to finally resign. What perhaps sealed his fate was Congress President Sonia Gandhi's reported displeasure over him continuing as Law Minister. He handed over his resignation to the Prime Minister, who had been backing him, a couple of hours after the Congress chief met the Prime Minister on Friday evening.
Mr Kumar, however, remains unapologetic, and insisted "no adverse comments were made against me by the Supreme Court." This despite the court's stinging comments that the CBI had no business giving access to a report meant for judges to the Law Minister and two government officials in March.
The court has said, "the heart of the report was changed on the suggestion of government officials," and added that the Law Minister could not "interfere with investigations." In its nine-page affidavit, the CBI had detailed three "significant changes" made by the Law Minister and officials in the Coal Ministry and Prime Minister's Office, to a draft of its coal report.
The "coal-gate" scandal revolves around allegations that the UPA government adopted a flawed policy in allotting coal fields to private firms. It is particularly sensitive for the UPA because the Prime Minister held the coal portfolio for part of the period under investigation.
