Tuesday, December 6 2005 09:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Beleaguered Union Minister Natwar Singh yesterday (Dec 5,2005) night told Congress chief Sonia Gandhi that he was resigning from the cabinet to 'save' the party and Government from further 'embarrassment' caused by 'politically-motivated' attacks of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA), party spokesman Anand Sharma said.

Sharma described as "mischievous and politically-motivated the opposition demand for Sonia Gandhi's resignation as chairperson of National Advisory Council. "

"The BJP is using this to divert attention from Uma Bharati's expulsion from the party and the opposition party is taking Parliament to ransom. They are stalling Parliament when important discussions on WTO, internal security and foreign affairs are supposed to be taking place," he said.