Jaitley hints at giving up defence portfolio

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday indicated he might not hold additional charge of the defence ministry from Sunday.

"When I took over charge of that ministry, I had said it is a temporary charge, it is an additional charge. People were surprised that it is the first statement I made," he said at a book launch.

Replying to another query if he was happy leaving South Block, Jaitley said, "Well, this was always an additional charge with me and this is what I had always stated when I took charge".

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can consult "anyone" but will not be guided or dictated by "anybody" on the issue of a Cabinet reshuffle.