Antulay 'takes back' conspiracy theory over Karkare's killing

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI) After raising a political storm,
Indian Minority Affairs Minister A R Antulay Tuesday
backtracked from his remarks of a conspiracy behind the
killing of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant
Karkare claiming that he had never raised doubts on who the
real killers were.

"I have never talked about a conspiracy...I never raised
doubt about who killed him (Karkare)," Antulay told reporters
soon after Government rejected the conspiracy theory
propounded by him over the killing by Pakistani terrorists.

Maintaining that "there was no need for further probe"
after Indian Home Minister P Chidambarm's statement, which has
now "settled" the matter, Antulay wondered how could any one
raise the issue of his quitting the Cabinet.

On Opposition's demand for his sacking, the 79-year-old
leader suggested that they are not going to be obliged. "They
will have to touch my feet and ask for my resignation or touch
the feet of the Prime Minister and ask him for Antulay's
sacking."

At the same time, he said he would "neither confirm, nor
deny" reports of his resignation.

The statement of the Home Minister came after
consultations he had with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee after a meeting
over of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) leaders Monday
night.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is also the UPA
Chairperson, was also believed to be present during the
deliberations.

Before Parliament assembled for the day, Mukherjee held
a meeting with Antulay during which Chidambaram and
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi were also present.
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