<p>Facing renewed allegations of his role in 1996 Suryanelli serial-rape case, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P J Kurien on Thursday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to clear the air, although speculation was rife that he may step down amid mounting pressure from the Opposition.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 72-year-old politician, who has rejected the charges levelled against him by the victim and others in the 17-year-old case, met Gandhi for about 20 minutes at her 10 Janpath residence. <br /><br />Although Kurien remained tight lipped about the meeting, it triggered speculation that he may now be asked to quit. Though the Congress party has stood by Kurien, a section within the party, including leaders from Kerala, contend that his continuance as RS deputy chairman was increasingly becoming untenable following fresh revelations in the case and a growing demand for his resignation.<br /></p>
<p>Facing renewed allegations of his role in 1996 Suryanelli serial-rape case, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P J Kurien on Thursday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to clear the air, although speculation was rife that he may step down amid mounting pressure from the Opposition.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 72-year-old politician, who has rejected the charges levelled against him by the victim and others in the 17-year-old case, met Gandhi for about 20 minutes at her 10 Janpath residence. <br /><br />Although Kurien remained tight lipped about the meeting, it triggered speculation that he may now be asked to quit. Though the Congress party has stood by Kurien, a section within the party, including leaders from Kerala, contend that his continuance as RS deputy chairman was increasingly becoming untenable following fresh revelations in the case and a growing demand for his resignation.<br /></p>
