Thursday, January 26 2006 14:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Accusing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of suffering from "I-don't-know" syndrome, the Samajwadi Party today (Jan 25,2006) demanded his resignation in the wake of the court strictures against Bihar Governor Buta Singh.

"The Prime Minister always pleads ignorance whenever his Government courts controversy because of its actions from events in Goa, Jharkhand or Bihar Assemblies to the Volcker report on Iraq's oil-for-food programme to phone tappings. Let somebody who is not suffering from 'I-don't-know' syndrome take the top job," SP General Secretary Amar Singh told reporters here.

He was reacting to yesterday's (Jan 24,2006) Supreme Court strictures against Buta Singh for his role in last year's Bihar Assembly dissolution.

"This time again, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government and the Congress are trying to deny responsibility for the Bihar Assembly dissolution although the recommendations the Governor just signed were actually prepared in Delhi," he said.

Amar Singh, whose party extends outside support to the UPA Government, said SP's parliamentary board would meet on Friday to finalise its future strategy after the Buta Singh controversy.

The SP leader also announced his party's plans to call a conference of non Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and non-Congress parties soon, saying the country required an alternative to both the main Opposition and ruling parties.

Asked for his comments on his telephone tapping, the SP leader said investigations have vindicated his charges.