Handling of crisis evokes criticism

New Delhi: There is speculation about who advised the Congress government to adjourn Parliament sine die and move an Ordinance redefining the offices of profit.

Fingers are pointing at Union Law Minister H.R. Bharadwaj who is informally recognised by the party as Sonia Gandhi's Man Friday spearheading major "operations" involving the intricacies of law.

Party managers spent yesterday trying to convince reporters that Sonia had no idea about the Ordinance, and did not approve of it.

But party sources said this was impossible. The impression among the party members is that the entire issue was mishandled by immature advisors. "It was unnecessary to adjourn Parliament and for Sonia to resign," the sources said.