Congress today left it to Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh to decide whether or not to resign in the wake of his alleged links with suspected money launderer Hasan Ali.

"We leave it to his (Singh) conscience. The matter is between him and the government. It is between the constitutional functionary and the government," party spokesman Manish Tewari said in reply to a volley of questions.

Singh is facing Enforcement Directorate summons for his alleged links with Hasan Ali.

Asked how long the Congress would shield the L-G in the wake of Enforcement Directorate asking the Home Minister's permission to question him in Hasan Ali case recommending passport for him, Tewari said: "We as a political party do not hold a brief. He has also explained his position. It is between the constitutional functionary and the government."

When told that Singh was a former AICC secretary, Tewari said when a political person holds a constitutional or gubernatorial position he becomes political neutral.

Tewari insisted that if a person concerned has or has not done a particular act in his earlier avatar it is between the constitutional functionary and the government.

To another query as to what would be the party's advice to partymen in such circumstances, he said: "We have always held that it is not proper to give advice publicly to those who hold constitutional posts."

When pointed out that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has already removed a senior official in connection with the case Tewari said "you cannot compare an officer and a person holding a constitutional post".

In Puducherry, the opposition AIADMK has demanded that the President recall Iqbal Singh as he had been facing "several controversies" ever since his appointment to the post in 2009.

Related report:

MHA working out modalities for LG's statement to ED: HM

Home Ministry is working out modalities for recording the statement of Puducherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with his recommendation for issue of passport to Hasan Ali, Home Minister P Chidambaram said today.

"LG is willing to make a statement to the Enforcement Directorate. Home Secretary is working out modalities which will be ready by today evening," he told reporters here after Singh met him.

This was Singh's second meeting with Chidambaram in the last four days.

The ED is believed to have sent summons to Singh after his name cropped up during questioning of a Bihar based Congress leader Amlendu Pandey.

Singh has admitted to have recommended expeditious issue of passport to Ali in but claimed he never knew him.