Antulay resigns, asks for probe into Karkare's death

New Delhi, Dec 19: A R Antulay, Union Minister for Minorities resigned to his post on Friday, Dec 19 following pressures from his (Congress) party. He handed over his resignation to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. He also requested the PM for an unbiased probe into the death of Karkare.

His letter to the PM reads, "I here by send my resignation, pray you accept and oblige." Sources say that Manmohan Singh has not yet accepted the resignation of the Union Minority Affairs Minister.

Antulay's remarks expressing suspicion over ATS Chief, Hemant Karkare's killing had created pandemonium in the Parliament.

On Wednesday, Dec 17, when Parliament was debating new Anti-terror law, Antulay had raised doubts over the killing of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare by Pakistani terrorists, suggesting a link with the Malegaon blasts that were investigated by him. He told the journalists that Karkare knew many things which were not meant to be known about the Malegaon blasts. This might have gone against him.

Opposition parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked the minister for his 'misdemeanour' and demanded immediate clarification from the Prime Minister, but the Congress party distanced itself saying those were his 'personal remarks'.

Antulay's resignation adds more headache to Congress as the Lok Sabha elections are nearing and the minority vote banks will be affected.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)