NEW DELHI: Two senior cabinet ministers, Arun Nehru and George Fernandes, dismissed the talk of their resignations as “rumours” spread “deliberately by interested parties”.
The parliament lobbies and the central hall were agog with the talk throughout the day that the two ministers had resigned following differences on government’s decision to go ahead with recommendations of the Mandal commission’s report regarding large scale reservations for backward classes.
As the lobby correspondents were trying to confirm the reports, the news came that it was law and justice minister, Dinesh Goswami, who had resigned. The reason for Goswami’s resignation was not Mandal commission but differences with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leadership. The meeting of the cabinet committee on political affairs this morning and later, his office in the commerce ministry said that he was indisposed for last two days and was advised rest. he will attend work from Wednesday.
Fernandes said the reports about his resignation were just not true. Sources close to the railway minister said there was no question of his quitting on the Mandal commission issue.
Fernandes was quoted as saying that he had been fighting all his life for the rights of backward class people. ‘
Mohanta also requested the prime minister not to accept Mr Goswami’s resignation.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 7, 1990
