Haryana minister quits

Haryana cooperative minister Kartar Singh Badana resigned Tuesday, complaining CM OP Chautala had curbed his powers.

Haryana cooperative minister Kartar Singh Badana resigned Tuesday, complaining Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala had curbed his decision-making powers.

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Badana said he had resigned as ministers had no role in decision-making.

There were reports that Badana could join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but he said he had not resigned from the ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).

Sources said if Badana joins the BJP, he could contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from either Haryana or Rajasthan.

There are indications the BJP could fielding him from Dausa in Rajasthan against Sachin Pilot of the Congress, who is the son of former minister Rajesh Pilot.

Haryana BJP chief Ganesh Lal welcomed Badana's resignation.

The BJP-INLD alliance had won five seats each in the 1999 general election. The two parties parted ways last year.