Monday, August 1 2005 12:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Amid controversy over transfer of 17 IPS officers that led to Bihar Chief Secretary proceeding on protest leave, the Union Home Minister has summoned Governor Buta Singh for discussions, Raj Bhavan sources told sources today (Aug 1,2005).

The sources on condition of anonymity, said Buta Singh left for Delhi this morning on the call of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for discussions on the controversy sparked off by the transfers, including that of the Siwan District Police chief Ratn Sanjay.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and leader of the opposition L K Advani had on Saturday spoken to Patil and sought his intervention in the wake of the transfers and consequent decision of Chief Secretary G Kang to proceed on long leave.

Alleging that the transfers were made with an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in the state, Advani had sought Patil's intervention 'as the state was under President's Rule and the Centre was directly responsible for its affairs.'

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Chief Ministerial candidate Nitish Kumar and state BJP President Sushil Kumar Modi while demanding Buta Singh's recall had charged that the transfers were made under pressure from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad.

They said the matter would also be raised in Parliament.

Buta Singh had on late Thursday ordered the transfer of 17 IPS officers, including Siwan SP Ratn Sanjay, who was at loggerheads with controversial RJD MP Md Shahabuddin and replaced them with officers with allegedly 'poor' track record.

A sulking Chief Secretary had proceeded on protest leave on Friday as Buta Singh ruled out any 'rethink' on the transfers, which he described as 'final'.