 "Defence was only additional charge, admits Jaitley")
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has fuelled speculation that he might be relieved of the defence portfolio, stating that this ministry had been given to him only as an 'additional charge'.
"When I took over the ministry, I said that it was only a temporary charge, an additional charge," Jaitley said while attending the launch of veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai's book '2014: The Election That Changed India'.
"Prime Minister Modi may consult anyone, but will not be guided by what anyone says during the Cabinet reshuffle," he added.
According to reports, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is the frontrunner for the defence portfolio. Parrikar himself has stated that he will resign as the Chief Minister on Saturday.
Sunday's proposed Cabinet reshuffle will be the first under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 160-day-old government.
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