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

New Delhi: After raising a political storm, Union Minority Affairs Minister A R Antulay today backtracked from his remarks of a conspiracy behind the killing of Maharashtra 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 the Government rejected the conspiracy theory propounded by him over the killing by Pakistani terrorists.

Maintaining that "there was no need for further probe" after 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.

No conspiracy to eliminate Karkare: Chidambaram

On the 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 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee after a meeting over of the UPA leaders last night.

BJP accuses Antulay of treason

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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