Mumbai: In a day of hectic political developments, battered Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, in the eye of the storm for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore fake stamp-paper scam, today (Dec 23, 2003) stepped down citing "moral responsibility" for an attack on the office of a television channel by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers.

The resignation came in the wake of intense speculation in the recent times that he would put in his papers following the concerted Opposition campaign against him in connection with the multi-crore fake stamp-paper scam.

However, Bhujbal clarified that his resignation has nothing to do with the stamp scam and he has resigned "owning moral responsibility" over the attack on the Alpha Marathi channel, a sister concern of Zee Telefilms, which had telecast a programme critical of him.

Though Bhujbal cited attack on the channel as the reason for his resignation, the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Opposition claimed that even a school going child will not accept that theory.

The saffron combine, which had resorted to a concerted campaign against Bhujbal, also claimed that the Government has lost credibility in connection with the Telgi scam and should quit.

Bhujbal's resignation comes a day ahead of the crucial meeting of the NCP office-bearers. The meeting was likely to discuss the fate of Bhujbal as continued attack on him had severely damaged the party's image.

The Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said he has accepted the resignation of Bhujbal and forwarded it to the Governor Mohammed Fazal.

Shinde said he would held the Home portfolio, till further name was suggested by the NCP.

Earlier, NCP president Sharad Pawar, who had a one-and-half-hour meeting with Bhujbal in the evening, said Bhujbal suggested that he would quit from the Council of Ministers owning moral responsibility on the attack of television channel office since he holds the Home Ministry.

"I have accepted the resignation" and who would replace Bhujbal would be decided by the party soon, Pawar told a hurriedly convened press conference at his residence.

Pawar said his party views attack on media as a "serious offence" and stated that it was the only reason for Bhujbal to put in his papers.

"Attack on the media is the reason behind his resignation," he said when repeatedly asked whether Bhujbal's stepping down has to do with the allegations against him in connection with the stamp scam.

Pawar said some NCP activists have been arrested in connection with the attack on channel and he has directed the city unit chief Sachin Ahir to suspend those workers.