BJP asks PM to drop Sibal, Chidambaram from cabinet

Ahead of the cabinet reshuffle, BJP today warned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he would be known by the kind of ministers in his team even as it demanded that Kapil Sibal and P Chidambaram facing "serious charges" be dropped from the Council of Ministers.

Ahead of the cabinet reshuffle, BJP on Monday warned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he would be known by the kind of ministers in his team even as it demanded that Kapil Sibal and P Chidambaram facing "serious charges" be dropped from the Council of Ministers.

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"A man is known by the company he keeps. Similarly, a Prime Minister is known by the cabinet ministers he keeps. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is honest but his whole cabinet is corrupt," BJP spokesperson Jagat Prasad Nadda said.

Two former cabinet ministers, A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran, had to quit on charges of corruption.

"The whole cabinet seems to be moving towards Tihar jail. While some are already in Tihar others are on their way," Nadda said.

He demanded that both home minister Chidambaram and HRD minister Kapil Sibal be dropped from the cabinet during the reshuffle likely to take place on Tuesday as they have "serious charges" against them.

"This will also decide the integrity and intention of the working of the Prime Minister," Nadda said.

BJP feels some minor changes in the UPA-II cabinet would not be sufficient as there were several charges against various ministries and some of the ministers have been pulled up by the media and the Opposition for incompetence.

"Cosmetic surgery will not do. Deep surgery is required," Nadda said, indicating that an overhaul of the cabinet is needed.