By IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Rajeev Bindal, facing allegations of corruption, gave his resignation Monday to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in the assembly amid uproar.
Refuting the allegations of amassing immovable assets, Bindal, known to be close to Dhumal, told the assembly: “I am resigning from the cabinet.”
Pandemonium prevailed in the house over the assets allegedly acquired by Bindal and his family since he became minister in January 2008.
Opposition leader Vidya Stokes stood up after the house assembled and asked about her adjournment motion regarding corruption charges levelled against Bindal by the Himachal Lokhit Party, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party rebel and four-time MP Maheshwar Singh.
Speaker Tulsi Ram said the adjournment motion could not be accepted under the rules as it was not an urgent matter.
Not satisfied with the reply, Congress legislators trooped near his chamber and raised slogans even as the question hour was on. They also demanded the resignation of the health minister.
After question hour, Bindal made a detailed statement about the charges against him and said they were an attempt to tarnish his image.
He said he was tabling documents related to his assets.
Dhumal told reporters that Bindal was hurt by the opposition’s allegations and had decided to resign.
Congress chief Kaul Singh told reporters that the opposition would continue to protest till Dhumal accepts the resignation of the minister.