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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
Newly appointed Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shatrughan Sinha praised his predecessor Dr C P Thakur as one of the finest doctors in Bihar.
He denied suggestions that Dr Thakur's removal had anything to do with his appointment as Cabinet minister from the state.
Speaking to rediff.com at his Delhi residence, 10 Talkatora Road, the film star turned politician expressed his gratitude to both Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani for his induction into the Union Cabinet.
"I am grateful to Vajpayeeji and Advaniji for reposing confidence and giving me this responsibility. I also realise that I now have the gigantic task of living up to the expectations of the people of India," Shatrughan Sinha said.
Asked how he felt at the induction of two film stars from Mumbai in the Council of Ministers, he said, "When lawyers are made ministers, when journalists are inducted into the Council of Ministers the media does not highlight that. But when two film stars are inducted into Council of Ministers everyone starts asking how I felt about it. This sort of discrimination should go from the media."
He claimed the resignation of Thakur had nothing to do with his own appointment as a Cabinet minister.
"I hold Dr Thakur in high esteem. He is one of the finest doctors in Bihar. I hope to have guidance from Dr Thakur. The task that has been given to me is a sort of challenge that I would like to accomplish with the blessings of my senior leaders and the people of India," he said.
The Complete Coverage: Cabinet Reshuffle 2002
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