Don't air views in public: Congress advises its leaders

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Over a week after an intra-party squabble over the Ram Sethu affidavit had hit the news headlines, the Congress today asked its rank and file to avoid ''uncalled for comments'' and treat the issue as closed.

''The matter should be treated as closed and uncalled for comments be avoided'' as the affidavit had been promptly withdrawn, AICC Media Cell Chairman Janardan Dwivedi said in a statement in the context of remarks made for and against Culture Minister Ambika Soni.

While her Ministerial colleague Jairam Ramesh had remarked that he would have quit had he been in her place, Mr R K Dhawan had sought her resignation for the filing of the affidavit in the Supreme Court by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under her Ministry.

Mr Digvijay Singh and Mr Salman Khurshid had defended Ms Soni in the episode. On her part, Ms Soni had offered to step down if asked by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress believed in maintaining discipline by its members in the party or in the government. Though there was ample intra-party scope for conveying a wide spectrum of opinions and views, ''airing such views in public, generates unnecessary and avoidable confusion,'' Mr Dwivedi said.

UNI