merisarkar news service
New Delhi, December 26, 2009
Perhaps this was the easiest way for this 86 year old veteran Congress leader to avoid further trial by powerful Indian Media. He faxed his resignation to the President on Monday and cited health grounds for putting in his papers.
The resignation followed the broadcast of a controversial sex tape case allegedly showing him in the compromising position in the company of three young women. A Local TV Channel Andhra Jyoti, the broadcaster of the tape, claimed that the old person seen in the footage is no one else but the incumbent governor of Andhra Pradesh.
However, ND Tiwari tried to delay the inevitable. A counsel for the governor went to the house of Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High court on Christmas holiday to obtain a stay order on the broadcast.
He was able obtained the stay order on a government holiday restraining the channel to broadcast or publish the photographs.
Raj Bhawan also issued a statement questioning the authenticity of the tape and claimed that it was 'doctored'.
However, by the time powerful Indian Media had already started the trial of this veteran Congress leader. TDP Leader Chandra Babu Naidu said that this is one more instance of declining values in public life and the governor should step down.
He said if the governor refuses to resign then the President must sack him.
Women organization organized a protest at Raj Bhawan demanding ND Tiwari's resignation.
It was one more challenge for the Congress party which is already reeling under tremendous pressure due to ongoing agitation for creation of Telangana state and it was expedient for the party to sacrifice the leader to maintain the public image of the party.
Earlier in the day opposition parties including BJP, CPM and CPI demanded the resignation of ND Tiwari. CPM MP Brinda Karat also sought time with the President to discuss the issue.
This is not the first time when fingers have been pointed towards ND Tiwari. Some time back Rohit Shekhar, son of a Congress leader Ujjwala Sharma, claimed ND Tiwari as his biological father and appealed in Delhi High Court for this recognition.
However, Delhi High Court rejected the appeal on the ground, among other things, that ND Tiwari does not reside in Delhi therefore is out of its jurisdiction.
However, Congress has been relieved by this development and the party has welcomed the resignation.
AICC Media Department Chief Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters that it is an appropriate decision keeping in view the high standards of public life.
