Minister trying political manoeuvre to change portfolios: Virbhadra

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Thursday termed the purported resignation of Transport Minister G.S. Bali as a "political manoeuvre" to change his portfolios.

"I have no information about his resignation. But I think it's a political manoeuvring for changing the portfolios," the chief minister said while responding to queries by media persons over the issue.

Party sources said that Bali was unhappy with his portfolios and submitted his resignation to the Congress party's central leadership Wednesday.

"I allotted portfolios after keeping in mind the capabilities and experience of the ministers. He (Bali) has been allotted two important portfolios (transport and civil supplies)," said Virbhadra Singh, who returned from Delhi Thursday.

He said even state party in-charge Birender Chaudhary has no information about Bali's resignation.

"As per my information, he (Bali) has submitted the resignation to Ahmed Patel (political secretary of Congress president Sonia Gandhi). But he got no intimation from the high command," the chief minister said.

"I hope good sense will prevail on him and he will withdraw his resignation," the chief minister said, adding "there is no move to change portfolios".

Bali has, however, refused to comment on his resignation. "I am with happy with my portfolios and never asked the chief minister for change of portfolios. I am going on a holiday," he told reporters here.