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Governor accepts Rajasthan finance minister's resignation

Kamla Bora in Jaipur

Rajasthan Governor Anshuman Singh tonight accepted the resignation of Finance Minister Chandan Mal Baid from the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Gehlot forwarded Baid's resignation letter to the governor after failing to persuade him not to quit.

In a last-ditch effort to save the situation, the chief minister himself went to Baid's residence in Jaipur to persuade him to withdraw his resignation letter, but it was a futile attempt. The resignation letter was then sent to Jaisalmer where the governor was camping.

Gehlot, who had earlier refused to comment on the resignation, left for Rohtak in Haryana to campaign for the Congress in the assembly election there.

An official release later said Gehlot would retain all the portfolios -- finance, taxation, excise and Indira Gandhi Canal project -- held by Baid.

Meanwhile, official sources in Jaipur said the state's Budget for 2000-01 may not be presented in the assembly in the customary first week of March. Instead, the government intends to take a vote-on-account for four months next month and present the full Budget later.

The reason for delay is, however, said to be the 64-day strike by state government employees, which ended yesterday, not Baid's resignation.

EARLIER REPORT:
Rajasthan finance minister Baid quits

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