Saturday, August 20 2005 15:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Refusing to be drawn into a controversy over Bihar Governor Buta Singh clipping the wings of his Advisor Arun Pathak, Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Minister Lalu Prasad today (August 20, 2005) said it was the Governor's 'prerogative.'

"It is the Governor's prerogative. He (Pathak) is his (Singh's) advisor, even the Chief Secretary is like his advisor," Prasad told reporters here when asked about Singh's move.

He quickly added that Pathak had not been removed from his post and continued to remain the Governor's advisor.

Amid the controversy over his letter to the Railway Minister seeking transfer of an official, Singh stripped Pathak, considered close to Prasad, of his official powers by withdrawing key departments, including Home, Finance, Power and Personnel.

Asked about National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) demand that Singh be recalled over the controversial letter, Prasad said, "There are thousands of such letters from Governors and today's leaders."