The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : I am pained, says Shobha Karandlaje

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Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009
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I am pained, says Shobha Karandlaje

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Shobha Karandlaje, the lone woman Minister in Cabinet, who has stepped down owing to pressure from dissidents, said she was “pained” at being asked to step down without any stated reason, but asserted that she was “happy if her resignation would make the Government stronger.”

“I am pained… I have asked my party seniors what the charges against me are… if I am inefficient or corrupt. I have got no answer so far,” said Ms. Karandlaje at a press conference here on Monday. “But I will take this as a challenge.”

To prove a point on her record of achievements, she went on to list the work done by her as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, including the progress made in Gram Sadak Yojana, rural sanitation programme and other projects.

She hoped that the next Minister would take the work done by her forward in a ministry that is normally neglected. She had shouldered the responsibility of two Dasaras efficiently, Ms. Karandlaje said.

On a more philosophical note she recalled what senior party leader and former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee had said when the party had no more than two MPs: “Na dainyam, na palayalam” (No question of being humbled or looking for escape.”)

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