Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Law Minister Salman Khurshid said Wednesday he would discuss the resignation of Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and take a decision after that.

He said he would take a “quick stock of the situation” over the country’s number two law officer who is upset after Communications Minister Kapil Sibal substituted him with another counsel in the 2G scam case.

“I will take up the issue with the prime minister. After receiving necessary directions, I hope to decide on the matter soon,” Khurshid told reporters.

Responding to a query on whether he would accept the resignation of Subramanium, Khurshid said he had an open mind and would study all the facts.

“I don’t come here with a made-up mind. In law, we are taught to have an open mind, to look at every fact and then take a decision,” Khurshid told reporters.

However, a “lot of water” had “already flown under the bridge before I came”, Khurshid said on his first day in the new job.

On Tuesday, when he was assigned the new portfolio, Khurshid hinted that he would talk to Subramanium, “but as a lawyer, I must say I have not received the brief”.

The new law minister, who succeeds M. Veerappa Moily, listed farmers’ land acquisition and the anti-corruption Lokpal bills as his top priorities.

“The land acquisition bill is of top priority,” said Khurshid, who was shifted to the law ministry.

He said the anti-graft Lokpal (ombudsman) bill was an equal priority for the government.

“The Lokpal bill is going to be important, a very high priority which we have promised to the country and other political parties. Together we have to bring an effective and strong Lokpal bill,” he said.

He also listed bills ensuring food security, curbing communal violence and judicial accountability as being important for the government.