Union Minister Arun Jaitley today took a dig at Congress for questioning the government for asking Supreme Court collegium to reconsider Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph's name for his elevation in the apex court.

In a blog, Mr Jaitley justified government's move citing several judicial appointments and traditions in the past. He said, times moved on and through a series of judicial pronouncements, the court started diluting the role of executive in judicial appointments.

Mr Jaitley said, the Constitution envisages an important role for the executive and it is a part of the democratic accountability. He said, the executive can give inputs, it can even refer a recommendation back with relevant inputs for reconsideration but is eventually bound by the recommendations of the Collegium.

Mr Jaitley said the hue and cry made by Congress recently when the Government referred the case back for reconsideration fades into the oblivion. The Minister said Congress leaders should look into the mirror before pointing fingers.