Political appointees must resign voluntarily: Naidu

Bangalore, Jun 20: With the NDA government's move to ease out several

appointed governors coming under opposition attack, Union Urban Development Minister M

today said all political appointees should resign voluntarily in the interest of the "system".

"....it will be in the interest of the system that all the political appointees, they resign voluntarily. I'm using the term all the political appointees and there is no need to expand it or explain it further," Naidu said while responding to a query on reported pressure being mounted on UPA gubernatorial appointees to step down following change of regime at the Centre.

Naidu, also the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, hit back at Congress which had flayed NDA's move, for "preaching" and accused it of "double standard politics" and maintained that "political appointments must go with the political establishment." "Some of our Congress friends are preaching....I would request them to check their consciousness and find out what they have done. If they do it- good, if others expect them to do it- bad; is this the right way? Such double standard politics is not good for any one."

"There is no need to make it a big issue, once the new government comes in ...those who are on political appointments should go with the (outgoing) government. Isn't it a respectable way for the smooth functioning of the government rather than making it controversial;Political appointments must go with the political establishment, that's my view," he told reporters after reviewing Metro work here.

Asked whether BJP would not appoint those with political background as Governors, Naidu said "....there is no rule that politicians cannot be appointed, if he is a sincere person, constitution abiding person you can't debar him. Let the country have a consensus and say no politician at all, you can't put standards to BJP alone."

PTI