New Delhi:
Congress leader Jayanthi Natarajan has denied reports that said she was removed as Minister of State for Environment and Forests for not giving environmental clearances to set up industries in the country.
"I completely deny reports of being removed for not giving environmental clearances and being anti-industry," Jayanthi Natarajan told NDTV. She also denied being in collision with the Prime Minister's Office or other ministries in the government.
Ms Natarajan said she quit because she wanted to work for Congress ahead of general elections due by May next year. "I requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to relieve me to dedicate my energy towards party work," the 59-year-old leader said.
"The Prime Minister has appreciated my work as environment minister," she said.
The minister resigned yesterday in what is being regarded as Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's larger plan to revamp the Congress ahead of the national elections.
Ms Natarajan, a senior member of Rajya Sabha for the third term, hails from Tamil Nadu and was brought in the environment ministry two years ago.
Sources said more ministers are expected to resign as Congress reinvents itself after some serious drubbing in the recent assembly elections.