BJP, Cong back Chidambaram, say no need to step down

The BJP on Friday reiterated its support for P Chidambaram as home minister despite his tendering his resignation in the wake of the Dantewada Maoist attack.

The BJP on Friday reiterated its support for P Chidambaram as home minister despite his tendering his resignation in the wake of the Dantewada Maoist attack.

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"The BJP would in no way demand or agree to (his) resignation as it would undoubtedly be hailed as a Maoist victory," said BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

"The home minister is entrusted with the nation's security and can't whimper like an injured retreating soldier…"

The move surprised many. While the BJP had pushed for the resignation of his predecessor Shivraj Patil, it called upon Chidambaram not to step down.

The reasons are many: the party brass believes that Chidambaram's priorities are right and, as a BJP leader said, it also believes that its shrill tone against the top Congress leadership in recent years has not found favour with the electorate.

"We will now wait and see the public response rather than pouncing on the government and facing flak," said the leader.

"This is a national issue and above politics," Rudy maintained.

The Congress, too, lauded Chidambaram for his offer to resign and owning full moral responsibility for the attack.

"The home minister's statement owning full moral responsibility does not need to be commented upon. It is a commendable act and should be appreciated," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

"His resignation has not been accepted," Singhvi added.