Friday, November 11 2005 18:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Breaking her silence on the ongoing controversy on the Volcker Committee report, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today (Nov 11, 2005) demanded removal of Natwar Singh, whose name appeared in the report on the oil for food scam, from the Union Cabinet.

"Action taken (on Natwar Singh) was too little too late. The people of the nation are unable to understand why Natwar Singh was only divested of his (External Affairs) portfolio and why he was not dropped from the Union Council of Ministers," she told India Today group editor, Prabhu Chawla, in an exclusive interview to 'Headlines Today' and 'Aaj Tak.'

"Yes" she replied when asked whether she thought he (Singh) should be dropped.

Asked why she had been silent on the Volcker committee report, she said, "I was not asked."

When asked about Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad, who is facing several charges, she said, "all tainted ministers should be dropped."

The interview would be telecast on 'Seedhi Baat' programme in 'Aaj Tak' tonight.