Transport minister Gopal Rai resigns over health, Satyendar Jain takes over

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has relieved cabinet colleague Gopal Rai of the transport department, the government said on Tuesday amid a growing

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has relieved cabinet colleague Gopal Rai of the transport department, the government said on Tuesday amid a growing controversy over alleged corruption in a proposed app-based premium bus service in the national capital.

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The AAP government rushed to clarify that Rai was relieved “purely on health grounds”. Satyendar Jain, who holds health, power and PWD departments, will be the new transport minister, the government said in a notification.

Rai, one of the most visible faces of the AAP government, spearheaded the ambitious oddeven road rationing scheme, implemented twice to clear Delhi notoriously toxic air.

On Tuesday, Rai met officials of the anti-corruption branch (ACB) to discuss the corruption complaint filed by BJP MLA Vijender Gupta.

He quoted ACB chief MK Meena as saying there was “no corruption charge” against him.

The government defended Rai, who underwent surgery in May to remove a bullet lodged in his neck 17 years ago during a student agitation. He had suffered complete paralysis below the neck for more than a year.

Rai, who now holds the employment, development, labour, general administration and irrigation and flood control departments, is undergoing physiotherapy at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.

The Congress took potshots at the Delhi government, saying in just a year, half of Kejriwal’s cabinet has been removed on various charges.

“Half of Kejriwal cabinet removed on corruption, cheating and inefficiency in one year! Transport Mininster Gopal Rai resigns — premium bus investigation starts (sic),” Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken tweeted.