NDA to meet Kalam to press for Natwar's removal

Mounting further pressure, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday decided that National Democratic Alliance leaders would meet President A P J Abdul Kalam next week to urge him to advise Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to drop External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, named in Volcker committee report on Iraqi oil pay-offs, from the cabinet.

External Link: 'Report based on Iraqi govt documents'

The party also announced countrywide protests to press the demand.

• Natwar may resign if probe is ordered

A meeting of senior BJP leaders chaired by party President L K Advani took the decision to seek an appointment with the President for Monday, BJP spokesman Sushma Swaraj told reporters in New Delhi.

The BJP will also organise protest demonstrations, sit-ins and rallies in all state capitals from November eight to November 15, demanding Natwar Singh's resignation for being alleged non-contractual beneficiary in the United Nation's Oil-for-food programme for Iraq, she said.

•  Everyone named in report was notified: Volcker

At their hour-long meeting, the BJP leaders expressed surprise that the Prime Minister sought to give a clean chit to Singh despite being indicted in a report of the United Nations on which the entire world has faith.     

"Following pressure, the prime minister's office hinted at a probe but nothing can be achieved so long as he (Natwar Singh) continues to remain in office," Swaraj said.

Complete Coverage: Volcker Report