New Delhi, May 18: Apparently sulking over
Congress' refusal to nominate his children for Lok Sabha poll,
HRD Minister Arjun Singh today said he can retire from Rajya
Sabha earlier than his term if it is in the interest of the
party and the nation.
"I have never shirked responsibility nor have I
canvassed for it. I have got another three years in the Rajya
Sabha. I have not decided to retire early but if it is
required in the interest of the nation and the party, I can
retire also. I would have no hesitation or regret," the
79-year-old leader told reporters here.
"I am already out of the way," he said in reply to a
question on whether seniors like him should give way to
youth as reflected in this election.
Asked whether he was keen on becoming a union cabinet
minister again, Singh said "I am not keen. It all depends on
the Prime Minister and the Congress president."
"You see, what one believes hardly matters. The party
and the bigger polity have to take a decision at the
appropriate time," he said on whether his ministerial innings
are over.
When pressed further on whether he wanted to be in the
cabinet again, Arjun Singh said, "It does not require
anybody's suggestion or recommendation. We know what we have
to do. On any occasion, if the party wants to do something and
I am standing in the way, I will not be there."
Asked about his opinion on Rahul Gandhi becoming
Prime Minister, he said "don't call me a psychophant again.
He (Rahul) has said he is not a contender. But I think
whenever he gets this responsibility he will do it well. The
"party has already made it clear that Manmohan Singh is the
Prime Minister."
In reply to a question on reports that Rahul could
become the next HRD minister, Singh said "he will be a good
HRD minister but it is upto him to decide."
Asked why did not attend the Congress Core Committee
meeting, he said he was not informed.
About his daughter Veena Singh contesting as a
Congress rebel from Siddhi, Madhya Pradesh, he said she was
responsible for her defeat.
Describing the Lok Sabha poll verdict as "historic",
he said people have again reposed confidence in Congress
and it will increase in the coming days.
He said the OBC reservation, initiated by him, helped
the "party in a big way" in the elections.
"I don't have any sense of hurt or elation," he said,
when asked whether he felt hurt over the developments.
Bureau Report