'Audio CD' conspiracy to tarnish image: Himachal minister

Upset over a purported audio-compact disk (CD) leak carrying his personal conversations, Himachal Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur on Monday described the 'audio CD' as fake and a conspiracy to tarnish his image.

"In 40 years of my political career, I have earned respect of people and not money. It's just a cowardly and cheap act by my rivals," he told reporters here.

He blamed an Indian Police Services (IPS) officer of a state cadre posted in New Delhi for the release of audio CD and demanded an inquiry into the whole episode.

"I have talked to the director general of police that an FIR (first information report) may be lodged into it. The chief minister, who has suffered a lot due to these CDs, should take such motto cognisance of the same and get a thorough probe done," he said.

"It is not the issue at present but the larger issue is of 'unverified and spurious' audio CDs are being circulated for character assassination which did not augur well for the state and politics," he said while ruling out the possibility of resigning from the cabinet.

The audio CD contained 19 different conversations allegedly involving the minister that revolves around elections, political developments and also a personal conversation.