National

Ramesh Offered to Quit on China Remarks but PM Turned it down: Reports

In the wake of controversy for his remarks against the home ministry for allegedly stalling some Chinese imports, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has offered to step down but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has turned it down, said media reports citing sources.

Ramesh had offered his resignation on Monday night following his reported statement in Beijing that the home ministry and the security establishment were being ‘alarmist and paranoid’ about Chinese companies willing to do business in India, reports said.

The Prime Minister, however, turned down his offer to step down, said reports citing PMO sources.

Both the Prime Minister and the Congress had snubbed Ramesh for his remarks even as the Opposition BJP had demanded action against him for the ‘highly objectionable’ comments.

Soon after his return from China, Ramesh attempted to clarify his statement in a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister.

Home minister P Chidambaram had written a strongly-worded letter to Singh, expressing unhappiness over his Cabinet colleague’s remarks that his ministry had an ‘alarmist’ approach towards Chinese investments and was putting ‘needless’ restrictions on these.

After receiving letters from Chidambaram and Ramesh, Singh had spoken to Ramesh and told him that he should not have commented on functioning of other ministries.

(Based on internet reports)

Show More

Related Articles

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker