PONDICHERRY, DEC 26: Pondicherry Chief Minister P Shanmugham today spurned the opposition demand that he should quit office in the wake of three MLAs being disqualified yesterday, adding that his government continued to enjoy absolute majority.``If the opposition wants my resignation, it is their duty to prove their majority, by asking the Lt Governor to convene an assembly session. I will not remain in office for even a single minute if my government is reduced to a minority,'' he told newspersons here, adding that the passage of some bills on December 7 proved that he enjoyed enough support in the house.
Shanmugham described himself as a "disciplined politician" who would not indulge in horse-trading to retain his Chief ministership.
Replying to a question, Shanmugham said, ``Janata Dal (united) member Rajaraman had not assured his suport to the government.'' However, he had gone to meet tmc president G K Mooppanar and has been with the TMC camp for some time. He had also supported the government bills (on December 7). It is his wish whether to suport the government or not.''
When asked about the disqualification of the three-member Manohar group, Shanmugham said it is the duty of the speaker and "he had done it as per the constitutional guidelines." ``I will not interfere with the speaker's rights,'' he added.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
