Welcoming President K R Narayanan's suggestion for giving due consideration for appointing them as judges in the apex court on the basis of merit, the Congress leader recalled Jawaharlal Nehru's call on the eve of Independence in 1947 that removal of poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity was his tryst with destiny.

Venkataswamy said that the President's suggestion was being misinterpreted. Narayanan had said that as there were judges belonging to weaker sections who were eligible for promotion to the SC on merit, due consideration should be given to these sections.

He appealed to the Chief Justice and Prime Minister Vajpayee to work out a scheme whereby adequate representation was given to deprived classes in judiciary. He said he had addressed a letter toVajpayee in this regard.