Delhi Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday resigned from his post as Transport Minister citing health reasons, even as the BJP and the Congress termed it a fallout of an Anti-Corruption Branch probe into the Delhi government’s app-based premium bus service scheme.
The Transport portfolio has now been given to his cabinet colleague Satyendar Jain, who already holds key portfolios like the Public Works Department (PWD), Health, Power and Home. The Hindu had reported on Saturday that Mr. Jain was likely to be given the transport portfolio.
Last week, Mr. Rai had requested the CM to relieve him as Transport Minister as he had recently undergone surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his spine.
“Some people are spreading the rumour that I have resigned due to the premium bus scheme. There has been no corruption in this scheme and my resignation has no connection with it,” Mr Rai tweeted. He will continue to head the departments of Labour, Irrigation and Flood Control, General Administration Department, and Development and Employment.
Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said that Mr. Rai had resigned due to corruption in the bus service scheme — a issue raised by him earlier this month.
‘Fallout of ACB probe’
“There has been corruption in this scheme following which he has resigned as transport minister. It is an eyewash. I want to ask why Mr. Jain has been given transport department despite the fact that he already holds key portfolios. The move indicates something wrong in the scheme,” Mr. Gupta said.
Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken alleged that Mr. Rai was either guilty in the premium bus service matter or has been relieved because of inefficient public transport system in the city.
