New Delhi:
The Congress' top leadership, called the core group, will meet tomorrow to decide how to solve its problem of two ministers caught in controversy. Details now emerging fast in a CBI investigation into a bribery scandal in the Railways make the case of Rail Minister Pawan Bansal the graver matter and, sources said, a Cabinet reshuffle might be effected soon to ease him out of the government.
A distinction seems to be made between Mr Bansal, against whom there are now allegations of corruption, and Law Minister
Ashwani Kumar, whose actions in the CBI coal investigation provoked a severe and embarrassing reprimand for the government in the Supreme Court. Mr Kumar's case is being seen as one of impropriety and he might be shifted to another ministry rather than being dropped altogether, sources said.
Last evening, as though to highlight that distinction, the Law Minster attended a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's 7 Race Course Road residence. The Railway Minister did not. Minister Manish Tewari played down Mr Bansal's absence saying the rail minister "didn't have any agenda for his ministry." (
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Mr Bansal's nephew was arrested last week for allegedly accepting bribe to organise a plum posting for a senior official in the Railways, which his uncle heads. CBI sources have said that the agency will soon interrogate Mr Bansal to follow up on allegations of his involvement in the case. The sources said the agency is acting on "grave suspicions."
Congress president Sonia Gandhi is reportedly not in favour of the tainted ministers continuing and is said to be clear that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's image must be protected at all cost. Both Mr Bansal and Mr Kumar are from Punjab and are seen as close to Dr Manmohan Singh and many in the Congress now believe they should be out of the government as the accusations that they face are hurting the party and the PM.
The Opposition stalled Parliament forcing an early adjournment of the Budget Session demanding the resignation of both ministers.