New Delhi: With Congress president Sonia Gandhi deciding not to become the Prime Minister, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president M Venkaiah Naidu today (May 19, 2004) turned down the resignation tendered by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati and advised her to resume her duties.

"Bharati has been advised by the party president to resume her normal functioning as Chief Minister," party spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

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Bharati had submitted to Naidu her resignation as Chief Minister protesting against a "person of foreign origin" becoming the Prime Minister and declaring her intentions to launch a mass awakening campaign on the issue.

Her effigies were burnt by Congress workers across the country today.