New Delhi: Stung by the Opposition's strong objection to induction of "tainted" persons in the Manmohan Singh government, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) supremo Laloo Prasad today (June 7, 2004) charged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) with adopting "double standards" saying there were several Ministers in the previous Government despite pendency of criminal cases against them.

Circulating extracts from the reply given in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the demand to drop chargesheeted Cabinet Ministers, Yadav told a hurriedly convened press conference that the NDA leaders should search their own conscience.

The Railway Minister claimed that in his reply to the motion on calling upon him to drop three Cabinet Ministers named in the Babri Masjid demolition case, Vajpayee had told the Lok Sabha on December 13, 2000, that "neither the Constitution nor the law disqualify a Minister from holding office merely because a charge-sheet is filed by the police or formal charges are framed by the court...."

".... There is no question of seeking their resignation. Even if they tender their resignation, I will reject," Yadav quoted Vajpayee as saying.

Recalling that when the NDA members were introduced in the 13th Lok Sabha the House was not disturbed by then Opposition, Yadav said that the NDA Government had defended in both the Houses the continuance of the Ministers with cases pending against them.