While Law Minister Ram Jethmalani is determined to induct his former junior and close friend S B Jaisinghani as the new SG, the Attorney General of India, Soli S Sorabjee, has strongly opposed his appointment to the coveted post.

Sorabjee has not only expressed his reservations about the appointment of new SG to Jethmalani but taken up the matter with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well.

Sorabjee's argument is that Jathmalani's candidate does not meet the requirements for the prestigious post. Jaisinghani is not a senior advocate and has seldom practiced in the Supreme Court.

Sorabjee's another argument in opposing the plea is that the post of the SG has been vacant for several months and now that the government has become caretaker, there should be no urgency to fill the vacancy.

However, Jethmalani has firmlydeclined to accept the argument forwarded by Sorabjee. He explained that Jaisinghani had represented the Union Government in the '70s in the famous Kissa Kursi Ka case against the late Sanjay Gandhi.

The appointment should not be held up merely on certain precedents and technical ground which are not even required under the law. He has reportedly threatened that if Jaisinghani was not appointed, he may even put in his papers.

However, Vajpayee has not taken on a view on Jethmalani's proposal as yet.

When contacted, Jethmalani declined to say anything on the issue.