Friday could free Buta of governorship

After the Core Committee meeting, Shivraj Patil said that a formal decision on his fate would be known on Friday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other top leaders on Thursday discussed the fate of Bihar Governor Buta Singh amidst clear indications that he would have to step down.

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At a meeting of the Congress' Core Committee held at the Prime Minister's residence, the issue of Buta Singh, indicted by the Supreme Court for recommending dissolution of the Bihar assembly last year, was discussed.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters after the meeting that a formal announcement on Buta's fate would be made on Friday.

"What I have said yesterday, I stand by it. A decision (on Buta's fate) will be known tomorrow," Patil said.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, HRD Minister Arjun Singh, Law Minister HR Bhardwaj, Patil and other members of the Committee attended the meeting.

The meeting was held immediately after the Republic Day parade at the Rajpath, indicating the urgency with which the matter is being handled.

Amidst mounting pressure from the opposition, allies and supporting parties for Buta's exit, the Governor took the salute at the Republic Day parade in Patna on Friday hoisting the Tricolour.