New Delhi:
Ruling out any "skirmishes" or "war within" the Government, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid tonight said there was no need for Home Minister P Chidambaram to resign following the controversy over the finance ministry note on 2G spectrum allocation.
Khurshid also found nothing unusual in Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York against the backdrop of the controversy.
"I am authorised to say this. There is no war within. We are a lively group of people. Sometimes we may disagree. But ultimately when Prime Minister and the Cabinet takes a decision, then we go by that," Khurshid told reporters.
On a question on Chidambaram, he added that the party was standing by the Home Minister and he would not resign.
"No (there is no need for his resignation). He is a pillar of strength for us," he said.
On the controversial note by the finance ministry which maintained that Chidambaram as then Finance Minister could have insisted on auctioning of spectrum, he said it was prepared by a "low level officer" and the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee would be able to explain the matter when he returned from the US.
Meanwhile, the Opposition demanded that the Prime Minister sack Chidambaram if he doesn't quit on his own and sought a CBI inquiry into the matter.
"First of all Chidambaram should resign and if he does not quit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should drop him. "Then the CBI should look into the entire matter," senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Khurshid had said the civil society has a major role in helping the country prosper. "There should be some form of regulation for the voluntary sector which will be good for voluntary organisations," he said.
The minister added that in the past few months, the country had witnessed a number of confrontations and battles "of our own making" like those on land acquisition and tribal rights besides others.Khurshid said, "We (Indians) are beginning to question. This is good. But the one who raises questions also should help in finding answers to the problems."