As Andhra Pradesh Governor Narayan Dutt Tiwari quit his post following a TV expose, the Congress on Saturday said Mr. Tiwari took the “appropriate decision” and acted on “moral grounds.”
Congress media department chairman Janardhan Dwivedi told journalists: “I think he [Tiwari] does not want to hold an office till it is proved that whether it [the footage allegedly showing him in a compromising position with three women] is true or false.”
Mr. Tiwari had “taken an appropriate decision keeping in view the high standards of public life.”
Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the Congress had repeatedly shown that it acted on moral principles whatever be the legal status of the guilt. Mr. Tiwari disputed all charges and had a court injunction in his favour. Yet, he acted on moral principles, he said.
BJP national spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said Mr. Tiwari should have resigned earlier keeping in view the dignity, respect and decorum of the high constitutional office he was holding. The BJP demanded his resignation earlier too because there were allegations against him in a paternity suit.
“In case of the high office of Governor, the veracity or otherwise of an allegation is not the only consideration. What is important is the dignity, the integrity and the prestige of the office of Governor which was shamed,” he said, adding that the Congress need not make a virtue out of this.
CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat wrote to President Pratibha Patil seeking the recall of Mr. Tiwari as his alleged misconduct had shocked the nation. The TV expose made it untenable for him to continue in such a high constitutional post.
Earlier in the day, Congress president Sonia Gandhi held discussions with party seniors on the issue. The Home Ministry on its part sought a detailed report from the Andhra Pradesh government on the episode.
