"Minister's resignation won't affect INLD"

Haryana Chief Minister and Indian National Lok Dal President Om Prakash Chautala on April 1 said the resignation of Kartar Singh Bhadana from the cabinet and his party would have no effect on his government claiming it enjoyed comfortable majority in the state assembly.

Chautala told reporters here that BJP has no future in Haryana "as the symbol of BJP lotus blooms in the muddy water only. But most of the streets in Haryana are made of concrete."

He said BJP leaders formulated the budget sitting in air-conditioned rooms which is only for the benefit of the business community and the interests of the poor, farmers, labourers and other downtroddens are not safeguarded which is clearly indicated by steep rise in prices in all spheres".

Taking a dig at Deputy Prime Minister, LK Advani, the Chief Minister said his aspiration to become the Prime Minister of India would never be fulfilled like Congress leader Sitaram Kesari.

He said INLD had supported the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre without any motive but the "opportunist leaders of Haryana unit of BJP opposed all the decisions of his government and pleaded for contesting the Lok Sabha elections independently".

He said BJP leaders would know their popularity in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Chautala reiterated the assembly election in Haryana would be held on schedule in February 2005.