PM to decide on Joshi's exit after consulting colleagues

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will take a decision on Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi's resignation after 'consultation with his colleagues.'

A spokesperson told reporters in New York that Vajpayee has been in touch with Joshi, who resigned after a special court in Rae Bareli decided to frame charges against him and six others in the Babri Masjid demolition case on Friday.

Also see: Joshi sends resignation to PM | Ayodhya controversy

The prime minister, who is in New York on a week-long visit, had called Joshi on Friday from Istanbul and asked him to reconsider his decision.

The court in Rae Bareli discharged Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani in the Babri case but decided to frame charges against BJP leaders Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar and VHP leaders Ashok Singhal, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi Ritambhara.