I stand by what I said: Katheria after losing Cabinet berth

New Delhi: BJP leader Ram Shankar Katheria on Tuesday said his exit from the union council of ministers has nothing to do with the controversial statements he made, which he continues to stand by.

Katheria is among the five ministers who were dropped from the union cabinet on Tuesday. He was Minister of State for Human Resource Development. 

"Adhyaksha ji (BJP President Amit Shah) said that I was being relieved from the cabinet as he would need my services in the organisation. I would abide by his and the party's wishes," Katheria told IANS.

Asked if he may be required to play a role in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, which are scheduled next year, the Agra MP said that nothing specific about that has been conveyed to him.

"Adhyaksha ji did not say anything particular about my role in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. But whatever he and the party would decide, I would go by it," Katheria said.

He said it is wrong to say that he was dropped because of his controversial remarks.

"Whatever I said, I said in the nation's interest and I stand by it," he said.

About a fortnight ago, while addressing a gathering at the Lucknow University, Katheria had said there would be "saffronisation of education and the country" which, he suggested, was being done because it was "beneficial" for the country. 

"Whatever is good for the country will be done, be it saffronisation or Sanghwaad (propagation of RSS ideology),” the minister had said.