New Delhi: As a serious debate raged within Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over his resignation in a case it considered politically motivated, Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on September 23 said he quit the Union Cabinet on "moral" grounds.

"In politics there is power and morals. Equal emphasis should be given to morality in politics. When the Rae Bareilly court decided to frame charges against me (in the Babri Masjid demolition case) and asked me to appear on October 10, I sent my resignation to the Prime Minister.

"When the Prime Minister returns, then there will be discussion on it," he told a gathering of teachers at his residence.

While none from the BJP appeared to have met him today, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) vice president Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, who like him was being charged in the case, met Joshi and charged the Centre with "lacking in courage" in not withdrawing the case earlier.

Later he told reporters that they would file an appeal against the trial court order on framing of charges, a move approved by Joshi too.

PTI