Vajpayee said he had used his prerogative and asked Jethmalani to resign from the Cabinet to strengthen the harmonious relationship between the executive and the judiciary.

Making a statement in the House in response to the Opposition demand, the Prime Minister said, ''Without going into the question of the correctness of any possible view involved in the issues on which Jethmalani corresponded with the hon'ble Chief Justice of India, I was of the opinion that even the difference of opinion between the Chief Justice and the Law Minister should not create any imbalance in the harmonious relationship.''

Vajpayee said his Government does not share the views of Jethmalani with regard to the subject matter on which he has spoken. He said he has gone through the statements of Jethmalani regarding the Chief Justice of India and the Attorney General of India.

''We completely disagree with his perception of the facts. The Government believes in promoting a harmonious relationship between the different wings of the state,'' he said.

''In order to ensure that this harmonious relationship is not only maintained but strengthened, I exercised my prerogative and asked Jethmalani to resign,'' Vajpayee said.

UNI