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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

Press Trust Of India New Delhi
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.

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First Published: Nov 08 2014 | 12:13 AM IST

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