Refuting Urban Affairs Minister Ram Jethmalani's allegation that he was the brain behind "clandestinely" issued notification without the Cabinet being taken into confidence, Durai said "as to whether the matter is required to be placed before the Cabinet or processed at the PM's level alone, is a matter for the PM to answer."

On the claim of Jethmalani that he had tendered his resignation protesting against the notification on April 9, the former law minister said in a statement "the alleged protest of Jethmalani is a fabricated after-thought".

"It may be recalled that AIADMK ministers submitted their resignation on April 5, which was accepted three days later and the government was on the brink of a fall. One is reminded of theparable of rats deserting a sinking ship," he said.

While defending the notification, the former law minister said it was only to set right the illegality committed by the Tamil Nadu government in transferring pending cases from the file of one special judge to that of another.

Durai said, "by commenting on the notification of the Central Government dated February 5, Jethmalani has committed contempt of court as the Supreme Court has concluded its hearing and reserved verdict on the subject matter."

He said "Jethmalani is today a disgruntled politician who has lost his Cabinet berth due to the defeat of the confidence motion moved by the prime minister."

He questioned Jethmalani's propriety to express concern over the cases against Jayalalitha and said "the reason is clearly political and not based on law. As far as ethics are concerned, the question does not arise at all."

Durai said serious corruption charges were pending against Jethmalani in the form of a representation made to the PM by a MP(Subramaniam Swamy in MS Shoes case) and which matter has been referred to the attorney general for opinion.

"One is left with a lurking feeling that Jethmalani, despair writ large, is hitting out at Vajpayee, lest the complaint of Swamy seeking sanction of the President to prosecute him for the MS Shoes scandal goes against him. Or he is seeking a safe Rajya Sabha perch from the DMK by hitting out against Karunanidhi's bete noire," he added.

He said the urban affairs minister statement yesterday was a "product of jealousy as Jethmalani cannot dream of enjoying the same statute and mass support as her."