Kolkata: West Bengal's minister for Youth Services and Sports, Laxmi Ratan Shukla resigned from West Bengal Cabinet.
He has also quit as Trinamool Congress president of Howrah district. Shukla, however, continues to be a member of the West Bengal Assembly. Shukla is the second Minister to tender resignation from TMC Cabinet after Suvendu Adhikari.
"Anyone can resign. He wrote in his resignation letter that he wants to give more time to sports and will continue as an MLA. Do not take it in a negative way," commented Mamata Banerjee.
Also Read: TMC leader Suvendhu Adhikari may join BJP
Reports said that earlier in 2016, he was one of the youngest ministers in West Bengal government. Mamata Banerjee had asked him to contest election in Howrah. He had announced his retirement from cricket in 2015.
As West Bengal Assembly polls are scheduled in April- May 2021, the Ministers' resignation is keenly watched over. The election would be held for 294 seats, said reports.
Trinamool has 222 seats. Meanwhile, BJP had won 18 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Amit Shah's vigorous campaign and Mamata Banerjee's slam against the Centre pauses a tough battle ahead, according to reports.
