Rattled by continuing media speculation that he is part of an emerging caucus against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Minister for Sports and Panchayati Raj Manishanker Aiyar today said, ‘‘I am not a dissident, and I am not unhappy about my present job.’’Recent reports linked Aiyar’s position on wheat imports and economic reforms to that of the Left, apparently annoying the Prime Minister. Aiyar sought to explain today that contrary to the reports, now that the foreign exchange reserves were comfortable, he favoured the import of wheat.‘‘I believe in UPA’s economic reforms with a human face. The NCMP stresses economic reforms in order to step up rates of growth without which there can be no eradication of poverty. At the same time, it recognises that there could be social consequences and stresses.appropriate policies to address these social issues,’’ Aiyar said, distancing himself from the Left.The minister said his reported statement from Indore last week, which speculated his warming up to the Left, was ‘‘twisted and out of context.’’ ‘‘I said production of coarse cereals was not keeping pace with population growth forcing us to import. Linking that to the Left stance that we have enough wheat and no import is required is absurd,’’ Aiyar said, adding his appreciation of the Left was in a different context. ‘‘.I said the NAC and the Left were holistically drawing attention to the imperative necessity of ensuring the human face of economic reforms.’’Aiyar also denied having met former external affairs minister Natwar Singh at a dinner at Punjab CM Amarinder Singh’s house in Patiala two months ago. ‘‘It was a gathering of Doon school alumni only.I am not unhappy.I am overwhelmed by the work in the two ministries where I took more time than in petroleum to find my feet,’’ Aiyar said.
