New Delhi: Terming as "unfortunate" the resignation of Justice K Venkataswami from the Tehelka probe panel and the Authority on Advance Ruling in Customs and Excise, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on November 23 night blamed the "irresponsible attitude" of the Opposition, particularly the Congress, for it.

"It (the resignation) is unfortunate. The irresponsible attitude of the Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, in making a mockery of Constitutional authorities is responsible for it," party general secretary and spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

He, however, defended Justice Venkatswami saying, "Any responsible and impartial person is left with little option in these circumstances."

The Opposition, he said, "should know that such appointments are made under a set mechanism and in this case, after getting approval from the then Chief Justice".

Charging the Opposition with suffering from "bankruptcy of ideas", Naqvi said, "They have no issue. They are looking for non-issues to disrupt Parliamentary proceedings and divert people's attention from the burning problems of the day."

Asked whether the government would hand over the probe to a Joint Parliamentary Committee as demanded by the Congress, he said, "The government will take the appropriate steps."

PTI