BJP, Kejriwal say oil lobby shifted Jaipal

Science and technology minister Jaipal Reddy on Monday made light of his transfer from the petroleum ministry even as opposition parties and activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal charged the government with shifting him under corporate pressure.

Science and technology minister Jaipal Reddy on Monday made light of his transfer from the petroleum ministry even as opposition parties and activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal charged the government with shifting him under corporate pressure.

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However, Reddy's answers to repeated queries from reporters left room for interpretation.

Asked whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh moved him under pressure from a major industrial group with interests in the oil sector, Reddy replied: "It is not my policy to comment on former ministries."

Pressed further and asked if he was disappointed at his transfer, Reddy responded: "I don't take positions on portfolios. I take positions on issues."

He, however, insisted his relationship with Singh was "excellent". Though Reddy's response was guarded, he appeared to have found a lot of admirers.

"Why did Jaipal Reddy lose his job? ... Oily Moily will now work ...? So, LPG and power prices (sic) set to rise," Kejriwal tweeted.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said the government owed the people an explanation for shifting Reddy.

"A person like him (Reddy) was suddenly removed ... People and the media are saying this was done due to the pressure of industrial groups,"he said.

Reddy's transfer raised eyebrows because he had blocked a host of crucial decisions, which clashed with the interests of a dominant corporate house.