Prime minister's office did not advise CVC PJ Thomas to resign

The prime minister's office (PMO) had not advised central vigilance commissioner (CVC) PJ Thomas to step down from his post, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

This was stated by the government in a written reply which came on a day when the Supreme Court quashed the appointment of Thomas, who is facing a corruption case in Kerala, as the CVC.

In the reply to a question whether the PMO had advised Thomas to resign from his post, minister of state for personnel V Narayanasamy said, "No."

The question was put up by Shree Gopal Vyas (BJP). He had also sought to know if the PMO had asked the CVC to resign, whether it was turned down and if the government found itself helpless in taking any decision on this matter.

He also wanted to know the details thereof to which Narayanasamy said, "(They) do not arise."