Laloo runs into fresh trouble

PATNA, MAY 23: Bihar Minister for Land Reforms and Revenue Inder Singh Namdhari today pulled off a fresh crisis for beleaguered Chief Minis...

PATNA, MAY 23: Bihar Minister for Land Reforms and Revenue Inder Singh Namdhari today pulled off a fresh crisis for beleaguered Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav by resigning from the State Cabinet responding to “an appeal of conscience”.

“In my one line resignation letter I have outlined that I am resigning from the council of ministers following an appeal of my conscience,” Namdhari, who also holds the Transport portfolio, told reporters here.

While confirming that he had received the letter of Namdhari, the chief minister said it was “unfortunate”. Prasad said that he would

forward the letter to Governor A R Kidwai for acceptance if Namdhari insisted on it.

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The chief minister said that he would, however, hold talks with Namdhari and try to persuade him to withdraw the letter. Prasad said he had not asked any of his cabinet colleagues to resign “but I will not hesitate to accept resignations of those who prefer it.”

Asked whether Namdhari had explained any reason forcing him to quit, Prasad said “I am unable to trace it but the flutter caused by a Janata Dal MLA during the meeting of the State Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) may have compelled Namdhari for such a course of action.”

Heated arguments were reported to have taken place between Namdhari and ruling party MLA Ramdas Rai at the TAC meeting on May 20 last.

Namdhari, however, said the “disturbances” caused during the meeting had “not compelled him to quit”.

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Considered a critic of the style of functioning of the chief minister, Mandhari had favoured resignation of Prasad “on moral grounds” following the CBI move to prosecute him in the Rs 950-crore fodder scam in the State.

However, Namdhari refused to elaborate when asked whether his resignation followed refusal of the chief minister to step down in the wake of the CBI seeking gubernatorial nod for the prosecution.