Minister meets Nitish but refuses to take back resignation

 A day after tendering resignation, Bihar Social Welfare Minister Parveen Amanullah met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today but refused to take back her resignation.

"I told CM that I am firm on my decision and will not take back resignation," Amanullah told reporters emerging from her meeting with CM at his One Anne Marg residence.

Asked if CM urged her to reconsider her decision, she said, "he said he was sad and asked me to rethink, but I told him that I am firm on my decision."

Asked if CM had called her, she said in fact she had sought time from him to say goodbye. Amanullah had a half-an-hour meeting with CM after Kumar returned from Bodh Gaya in the forenoon.

To persistent questions about reasons for her quitting, Parveen Amanullah was evasive and merely said there was need to improve the system.

Parveen Amanullah, a prominent Muslim leader, however said, she has no "ranjis" (acrimony) against the CM or anybody else.

There is strong speculation of her joining Aam Admi Party (AAP) but was non-committal saying, "I am looking for options...I have not taken any decision so far."

Sources close to her said she had met AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently.

Parveen Amanullah was a prominent RTI worker in Bihar before contesting election and becoming minister in 2010.

Replying to questions regarding her joining AAP or some other party, she said "give me some time."