The Hindu : PM accepts Prabhu's resignation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 21, 2002

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PM accepts Prabhu's resignation

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi Aug. 20. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has reluctantly decided to accept the resignation of his Power Minister, Suresh Prabhu, though a formal announcement is unlikely till a date for the swearing-in of Mr. Prabhu's successor can be firmed up. Indications are that the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray, wants the Minister of State for Finance, Anant Geete, to take Mr. Prabhu's slot.

In his letter dated August 14 to the Prime Minister, Mr. Prabhu cited Mr. Thackeray's desire that he work for the party as a reason for his resignation. Over many months, Mr. Prabhu's continuation in the Union Cabinet was deemed a doubtful proposition. The Shiv Sena was reportedly unhappy that Mr. Prabhu was unable to tap the "lucrative" potential of his Ministerial portfolio.

There is considerable unhappiness in the Cabinet that an efficient and honest Minister was being made to quit and discernible lament about the "compulsions of coalition politics".

What many have found jarring is that Mr. Thackeray has usurped the Prime Minister's prerogative of dropping or selecting a Minister. When Mr. Prabhu's putative successor, Mr. Geete was asked about his possible elevation to the Cabinet, he observed, "I have no idea about it, but if Mr. Thackeray thinks he should give me anything more important I will take it as an honour."

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