Govt dismisses reports about some ministers offering to quit

Government on Tuesday dismissed reports that four Union Ministers had offered to quit their posts and work for the party, saying all Congress leaders are working for the party whether they are a part of the dispensation or the organisation.

"You people always are in the habit of some sort of imagination. Everybody is doing party work whether they are in government or outside government. Therefore I have nothing to comment on it," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters.

He was replying to questions on whether Union Ministers Salman Khurshid, Jairam Ramesh, Vayalar Ravi and Ghulam Nabi Azad had offered to resign from their posts and work for the Congress party.

Media was abuzz with reports today that these Ministers had written to Congress President Sonia Gandhi of their intention to quit the government and work for the party.

Minister of State in PMO V Narayansamy said the decision as to who should be given what responsibility lies with the Congress President.

"When the honourable Congress President is revamping the party, that decision is taken. Whichever minister she wants to be drafted into the party that is the prerogative of the Congress president. The Congress President and the Prime Minister will discuss (the issue)," he told reporters.