After ministers' exit, PM's Punjab club in disarray
As two of the government's senior ministers - smeared with scams - bowed out on Friday, their unprecedented exit has also dealt a blow to what is being called the Prime Minister's Punjab club. Pawan Kumar Bansal and Ashwani Kumar - both politicians from Punjab - are said to be close to Dr Manmohan Singh and had reportedly managed to hold out so far, owing to the backing from the PM, more so for Mr Kumar. But a nudge from Congress President Sonia Gandhi - with her reported discomfiture with the continuation of the duo in office - and marching orders were issued.
