New Delhi, Jan 30: Law and Justice Minister Jana Krishnamurthy has resigned from the Union cabinet as he wanted to retain the ministry and was not agreeable to accept any other portfolio offered to him, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said tonight. Speaking to reporters after the swearing in ceremony of new ministers, Vajpayee regretted the decision of the former BJP president to resign from the ministry.
Vajpayee said he tried to persuade Krishnamurthy to take any other portfolio but to no avail. Vajpayee said the changes effected in the BJP and the government were aimed at strengthening the party, increasing its popularity and also the confidence people have in the party.

"Some people in the government have been drafted for party work and some from party have been taken in the government. All the changes made are part of a natural process," he said.
Bureau Report