PM not lying but misled people on CVC''s appointment: BJP

New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) The BJP today said PrimeMinister Manmohan Singh "cannot be lying" on the controversialappointment of the CVC but has "opted to mislead" the peopleon the issue and demanded sacking of the top official.

Party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy termed as "mostshocking and amazing" Solicitor General''s contention beforethe Supreme Court that the selection panel had not beenprovided with all details on P J Thomas background before hisappointment as the CVC.

"But we would not say the Prime Minister is lying. Ofcourse, he can''t be lying... It is very amusing that we cansay the Prime Minister cannot lie. We know he cannot lie. Andof course, he has opted, under whatsoever reasons, to misleadand get misled," Rudy stated.

He said "this establishes a culpability, the guilt ofthe Prime Minister" as well as that of Home Minister PChidambaram who was present in the meeting.

The new CVC has almost refused to resign and thegovernment should sack him, the BJP spokesman said.

"He (Thomas) has rebuffed all the attempts by thegovernment and emissaries. There are some facts andrevelations which indicate that a big lobby had worked toinduct him and influenced the committee to see that he isinducted. Even the name of the Chief secretary of Maharashtrafigures there," Rudy alleged.

He wondered why no one has till now mentioned formerMOS and now Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan inthe case but said it "seems all is falling in place".

"We do not know how much embarrassment the governmentwould still prefer to have. Whether the government would liketo have the sacking of the CVC from the Supreme Court.

Whether the government is so weak and guilty that it does nothave the courage to sack the CVC," Rudy said.

The BJP claimed that Leader of Opposition in Lok SabhaSushma Swaraj had clearly told the panel that a prosecutioncase against Thomas was still pending in the court in theKerala Palmolein import controversy.

BJP expects the CVC to step down immediately in theinterest of democracy. "Failing so, the Prime Minister mustgather enough courage to sack him if he is not guilty andwants to vindicate his position," Rudy said.