Tuesday, January 24 2006 13:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With the Supreme Court finding fault with Bihar Governor Buta Singh's report on dissolution of the state assembly, Constitutional expert Fali Nariman today (Jan 24, 2006) said it was a matter of propriety for the individual whether to continue in office or not.

"It is matter of propriety for the individual whether to continue in office or not," Nariman told reporters when asked if Buta Singh should quit the gubernatorial post.

Nariman said the Supreme Court judgement was a majority decision and it was for Buta Singh to decide his future course of action.

In Patna, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the Supreme Court judgement has vindicated the stand of the people of the state but refused to comment any further.

"I do not think it is proper to comment on the Supreme Court judgement," he told reporters in Patna.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said the Union Government would examine the verdict.

"Am I competent to comment on the judgement," he asked reporters seeking his reaction to the apex Court ruling in Patna.

"How can I say whether the Governor has to be recalled? Nobody comments on the Supreme Court ruling as it is considered final," Prasad said.

Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers said, "the court's decision was supreme and I am not in a position to comment on the issue."

"How can we react to the Supreme Court judgement?" he said, adding that the court had said nothing new in the matter.

He also said that the institution of the Governor was in the Governor's own hands.