Ambika Soni has been spared the axe for now

NEW DELHI: Tourism and culture minister Ambika Soni, whose ministry is at the centre of the storm over the Ram Setu affidavit, seems to have survived for the moment.

Soni met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday and showed him all the documents pertaining to the project. “I have explained to the PM the course of events. I have submitted all the papers. He heard me patiently. I am content with the meeting,” she told reporters.

A party statement issued later also seemed to confirm that Soni keeps her job. “”In the specific context of the Ram Setu issue, in view of the prompt withdrawal of the affidavit, reflecting the party’s and the government’s alacrity and sensitivity on matters of personal belief and faith, the matter should be treated as closed and uncalled for comments be avoided,” said a two-paragraph statement issued by AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi.

Soni has been under pressure from within her party, including some ministerial colleagues, ever since the government filed the controversial affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that there was no scientific evidence to prove the existence of Lord Ram.

Though Soni denied any wrongdoing, her ministerial colleague Jairam Ramesh and AICC general secretary RK Dhawan went public demanding her resignation. A day later, Ramesh apologised for his remarks, but did not retract them.