Khurshid to take up SG resignation issue with PM

New Delhi, Jul 13: Salman Khurshid, who took over as Law Minister, today said that he will discuss the issue of the resignation of Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam with the Prime Minister and take a decision after getting directions from him.

"I will take up the issue with the Prime Minister. After receiving necessary directions, I hope to decide on the matter soon," he told reporters in reply to a question.

Khurshid has already said he could also discuss the issue with Subramaniam.

Talking to reporters yesterday, he had said, "Why should I not talk to anyone...but as a lawyer, I must say I have not received the brief. I will have to go through the issue."

Terming the entire episode as "unfortunate", the minister said he will first go through the entire details and the "various versions" available before deciding on anything.

He said he knew Subramanium well and termed him as an "excellent lawyer".

Subramanium, who has been appearing for the government in the 2G related cases in the Supreme Court, said it was "unfair" that the Law Ministry chose to appoint Rohington Nariman as counsel for Union of India to appear in a PIL by an NGO against Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal without his consent.

Slighted by the appointment of the counsel without taking him into confidence, Subramanium had sent his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday.

PTI