Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu:
As the BJP asks the Prime Minister to fire P Chidambram from his cabinet, Dr Manmohan Singh has offered lavish public praise for the Home Minister.
Dr Singh, who was in Mr Chidambaram's consitutuency in Tamil Nadu today, said since 2004, he has been "deriving support from Mr Chidambaram's enlightened leadership", first as Finance Minister and then Home Minister. Dr Singh said "whatever task is given to him (Mr Chidambaram) he performs with super aplomb."
The BJP has found grounds for Mr Chidambaram's dismissal during both his terms. The telecom scam played out when Mr Chidambaram was Finance Minister. The Opposition says he must be held accountable as an enabler for the decisions taken by A Raja, who is now in jail for allegedly masterminding the telecom scam. As Home Minister, the BJP says, Mr Chidambram misused his office to pressure the Delhi Police to withdraw cases against a businessman who hired the minister as his lawyer.