Mumbai: Rubbishing reports that he
resigned from the Union council of ministers for not being
elevated to the Cabinet rank, former Minister of State,
Gurudas Kamat, on Wednesday said he was "withdrawing" from active
politics.
"I am voluntarily withdrawing from active politics and
would not want to be in any position either in the Government
or in the party organisation," Kamat said here.
"I would want to remain just an active Congress
worker," said 57-year-old Kamat, a five-time MP from Mumbai.
Kamat was entrusted with the responsibility as
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Drinking Water and
Sanitation in yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle.
Kamat denied that he was involved into any "backroom
talks" with Congress leaders for any position.
Asking media to make a fair judgement, he said,
"Neither have I been sacked or threatened with action and
forced to resign."
"I would like to emphasise that my request to relieve
me was no pressure tactic and was a genuine request after
giving considerable thought to my political future."
Sources close to Kamat said that the Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh in a letter has informed that his resignation
was being forwarded to President, and lauded him as being a
valued colleague in the ministry.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 21:03