Chhattisgarh massacre: Chidambaram offered to resign, PM rejects

New Delhi, Apr 9 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had reportedly offered his resignation after Tuesday's Maoist attack in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh, but the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, rejected it and asked him to stay on.

According to a private news channel, Chidambaram offered to quit as a section of the Congress party became very critical of his way of functioning.

It was also reported that Chidambaram had written a letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and offered to put in his papers.

Chidambaram's handling of the Maoist crisis was also criticized the media.

After his visit to Dantewada, Chidambaram briefed the Prime Minister and took full responsibility for Tuesday's incident in which 76 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed.

Earlier in the day, addressing a CRPF Valour Day function, Chidambaram said: "I salute the CRPF, I promise that government will always stand by you. Where does the buck stop after Dantewada? The buck stops at my desk.

"I accept full responsibility of what happened in Dantewada. I told this to the Prime Minister as well," he added. (ANI)