NDA MPs march to Rashtrapati Bhavan

Stepping up their attack against the United Progressive Alliance government, the opposition National Democratic Alliance MPs led by the Leader of the Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani and NDA convener George Fernandes on Thursday marched to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to demand the removal of 'tainted ministers' from the government.

Braving the scorching sun and carrying placards, about 200 MPs from both Houses marched silently from the Parliament Annexe to the Presidential Palace.

A memorandum submitted to President A P J Abdul Kalam by a 13-member delegation said: "The council of ministers
headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh includes many ministers whose induction has given rise to serious concern
about probity 

in the public life of the country...the profile of some of the ministers clearly shows that for the sake of
power, sound democratic traditions have been completely given a go by."

Mentioning specific charges against Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, Coal and Mines Minister Shibu Soren and Ministers of State Taslimuddin, the memorandum urged the President to take up the matter with the prime minister.

Later, briefing reporters, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said while there has been an outcry in the country against criminalisation of politics, this government is the first instance where people involved in "pure crimes" have been included
in the government.