Congress to defend Chidambaram, Pranab may make statement

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and other senior attended the meeting, which discussed the strategy for the month-long session, the sources added.

Mukherjee may make a statement Tuesday pointing out the issue was under the consideration of a Joint Parliamentary Committee and the opposition should wait before they make a judgement and press the demand for resignation of the minister, the sources said.

Earlier Monday, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) demanded Chidambaram's resignation and announced his boycott in the house.

Reacting to the move, Law Minister Salman Khurshid described it as "uncharitable" and "unkind."

The move, which came as a surprise to the government which is aiming to pass some landmark legislation, including the Lokpal bill, in the winter session, came after the meeting of the NDA at the residence of BJP veteran L.K. Advani.