Talking tough Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday termed "resignation" of State’s transport minister GS Bali as an anti-party activity and said that the minister was maneuvering for a change of portfolio, which cannot be done at this juncture.
Bali had on Wednesday sent a three-page resignation to Ahmed Patel, political advisor to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Congress State in-charge Chaudhary Birendra Singh and had even surrendered his official vehicles.
“Portfolio’s were allocated to the ministers according to their capabilities and at this juncture, question does not arise of any change in portfolios,” the Chief Minister said.
He, however, lauded the efforts of Balli saying that he is handling two crucial portfolios of Transport and Food and Civil Supplies directly connected to the people and he has performed well.
“Bali has performed well even in testing times but his bid of resignation is unfortunate and mistimed on the eve of Mandi parliamentary by-poll,” said Singh “If he meets me, I will certainly persuade him to withdraw his resignation but if he does not agree to do so, then other course of action will be followed,” he added. The Chief Minister ruled out any confrontation with Bali and said that he never came to him with any grievances.
“If Bali has taken such a step, as the resignation was not sent to me, then he has to untie the knot and if he does not do so, then next course of action will be ours,” said the six-time Chief Minister issuing a veiled threat to the transport
minister. When the cat is away, mouse keep dancing” said Singh, referring to his visit to Delhi when the resignation took place. On the question whether he had information about other ministers being unhappy with their portfolio, the Chief Minister said that these reports are fictious.
Virbhadra Singh returned to Shimla on Thursday morning from Delhi after attending the UPA dinner on Wednesday night, hours before President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in the city. On the other hand, Balli who was to go to Delhi to brief central leaders, cancelled the visit due to the President’s visit to the State. Sources said that central leadership is also unhappy with Bali’s move and that was the reason the Chief Minister talked tough on the issue.
On the statement of Virbhadra Singh, Bali said that he (Singh) is a respected seasoned politician and Chief Minister of the State and can say anything.