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Jethmalani unhappy with PM

Ram Jethmalani, who quit the Union Council of Ministers on Saturday, said he had tendered his resignation 'under compulsion and not out of choice'. Speaking to newspersons in Pune on Sunday, Jethmalani said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had to 'make a choice between a pliant Attorney General and a no-nonsense law minister'.

"My resignation was asked for and I do not want to pretend that I resigned on my own. The call came from the prime minister and I resigned," he said.

"I also confess that I was unhappy with the prime minister. But then he is wearing a crown of thorns and I do not want to put one more thorn by making some uncharitable comments," he said.

"The prime minister had to make a choice between a pliant Attorney General and a no-nonsense law minister. He has made his choice," said Jethmalani, who resigned in the wake of controversy generated by his remarks on the Maharashtra government's move to prosecute Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

Jethmalani said his 'friction' with the Attorney General started the day he became law minister and things continued to 'deteriorate' later. "I was very unhappy with the manner in which the Attorney General functioned," he added.

Referring to his resignation, he said, "I had a feeling of sadness when I had to take this step as I had sworn to reform the legal system within two years. I was on my way to do it and my efforts have been frustrated."

He said he faxed his resignation letter on Saturday night after reaching Pune from Bombay.

EARLIER REPORT
Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani resigns

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