Pic: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Sep 20: "I have not gone to Mumbai. I have not gone anywhere. I am very much inside the coalition government. See, I am here in Udupi," said minister for forest R Shankar.
The minister who spoke to the press in the city, giving clarification on the rumours about him, said, "A rumour is spread that I have gone to Mumbai. I have not got any invitation from BJP. I do not have any inclination to support BJP right now.
"I am an independent and non-affiliated MLA. Why I have to join Congress or JD (S)? I am working as the state president of KPJP and I have been elected from that party. That is why I have given support to the coalition government of Congress and JD (S). There is no intention in my mind to desert the party," he added.
Shankar further said, "I came to Mangaluru airport and from there proceeded to this city in order to attend one of close aide's marriage. The coalition government will be stable for five years. Media is saying that the coalition government is still not woken up. The government has woken up and has started developmental work. All the works of the people of the state will be completed."