Tuesday, December 6 2005 14:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Unrelenting in its offensive, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders decided to insist on Natwar Singh's resignation over the Volcker issue today (Dec 6,2005) itself and not to allow any transaction of business in both houses of Parliament till it happens.

"There is no change in the circumstances. Natwar Singh can submit his resignation and the Prime Minister can accept it in Moscow and the same can be conveyed to the Lok Sabha by leader of the house Pranab Mukherjee," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra told reporters after a meeting of NDA leaders chaired by Leader of Opposition L K Advani.

The meeting was called to discuss the situation arising out of Natwar Singh's offer to resign when the Prime Minister returns from his Russia visit.

"If the President can accept abroad the Cabinet's midnight recommendation for dissolving the Bihar Assembly and imposing President's rule, the Prime Minister can very well accept Natwar Singh's resignation," he said.

Malhotra said the NDA would also insist on Sonia Gandhi's resignation as Chairperson of the National Advisory Council.

"How can we allow smooth transaction of business in Parliament so long as these two people remain in office," he asked in response to a question whether NDA would stall proceedings.

However, sources indicated that the opposition alliance would allow normal functioning in Parliament once Natwar Singh submits his resignation and was not likely to insist on Sonia's resignation. They would, however, continue to press with the demand.