By Andalib Akhter,
New Delhi: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mr AR Antulay remain defiant over his reported statement and put to rest media reports that he has offer to resign from the Union Council of Ministers.
Talking to this correspondent in the parliament House today he said that he has neither met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh nor telephoned him or offer to resign.
In fact Mr Antulay reiterated his demand saying he is a god fearing man. “I speak what I think is correct. I do not need a certificate from anybody to prove my nationalism.” Antulay said.
Minister for state for home affairs Dr Shakeel Ahmad was also with him when he made this remarks. Shakeel chose not to comment on the controversy.
“No one can ask me to resign” said Antulay and reminded that when he was Chief Minister of Maharashtra, “I resigned that time on his own term, neither Indira Gandhi has asked her to do so”, an irate Septuagenarian leader said.
Minority Affairs Minister Mr Antulay ‘s body language was very positive and remain un-apologetic on his statement. Meanwhile, asked about his meeting with Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi, he said that she is our leader and I can always call at her.
Meanwhile A R Antule has received backing from some member of the Janta Dal (U) and RJD. Senior RJD leader Ram Kirpal Yadav told this correspondent that there is nothing wrong in Antulay’s demand. “One should not question the patriotism and integrity of Antulay. He is a veteran politician and nationalist” he said. JDU leader Rajya Sabha MP Ejaz Ali Also backed Antuley saying every rational element should back him.” From the day one of the Mumbai attack doubt is being cast in many quarters over the death of Hemat Karkare” Ejaz told this correspondent adding several newspapers have raised many questions over the killing of Karkare.
Also echoing the voice of union minority affairs minister AR Antulay, the President of Jamiat Ulma e Hind Maulana Arshad Madani has demanded the government to enlarge the area of investigation in whole Mumbai attack case. Talking to an Urdu news agency from Madina he said that soon after attack on Mumbai such a big tragedy of killing of Hemant Karkare is not only surprising but also a matter of great concern. “For the first time in the history of terrorism, a conspiracy to malign a particular community was being unveiled” said Madani adding that it was Hemant Karkare who uncovered the effort to communalise our armed forces and make people aware of the threat to national unity and integrity”. He demanded stern action against those who had committed crime in Mumbai and also against those who were responsible for negligence that led to the heinous offence.