Title - Congress adopts wait-and-watch approach on controversy-stricken Ashwani, Bansal

Clearly adopting a wait-and-watch approach, Congress on Wednesday gave no indication on the future of two of its senior union ministers Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.Pressure on the party to act against Kumar, embroiled in a controversy over his vetting of CBI's draft report on coal scam to the Supreme Court, may have eased somewhat with the minister escaping any stinging remarks by the apex court during today's hearing in the matter.Abrupt adjournament of Parliament would also have diluted the heat on the two ministers whose resignation was demanded by the Opposition which paralysed both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.That the decision on their continuance is unlikely in a haste and a step-by-step approach will be adopted in the matter has come amidst speculation of a reshuffle in the party and the government that could give the leadership sufficient leeway to accommodate party leaders in different places ahead of the Lok Sabha election.The talk in party circles is that the leadership does not want to repeat an Ashok Chavan-like situation this time.

Chavan, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was removed abruptly after the Adarsh Housing Society scam. Later, there was a view that Congress took a hasty decision in the matter and Chavan "unnecessarily became a sacrificial lamb".

At the party press briefing, party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary also said it was time to "wait" as far as a decision on Ashwini Kumar is concerned.

"I respect the fact that the Prime Minister played by the rules of natural justice and he waited till there is evidence.

He is on record today, he has categorically stated that he is aware of the full facts of the case and that he will find a solution. I think we should wait," Chowdhary told reporters.