Ramesh offers to resign, PM turns it down

Ramesh offers to resign, PM turns it down
  PTI
NEW DELHI, MAY 13
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh offered to resign over his controversial remarks in Beijing but appears to have escaped the axe by a whisker today with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh turning it down.
Congress sources said the 56-year-old minister, whose remarks critical of his government policies on Chinese soil caused embarrassment to the country, may have got just a temporary reprieve.
Suspense also hangs over his renomination to the Rajya Sabha with Ramesh’s term coming to an end next month amid stiff opposition by a section of Congress leaders from Andhra Pradesh against fielding him from the State.
Ramesh had offered his resignation on Monday night after his controversial remarks in Beijing that the Home Ministry and the Indian security establishment were being “alarmist and paranoid” when it came to Chinese companies wanting to do business in India, raising a storm. There were demands of strong action against him by the opposition.
Sources said Ramesh’s offer to put in his papers has been turned down by the prime minister.
Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed described the issue as “closed chapter” after prime minister’s turning down the resignation offer of Ramesh.
“There was no discussion on the Ramesh issue at today’s cabinet meeting,” Ambika Soni told reporters.