Thursday, January 26 2006 17:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: "I have faxed my resignation letter to President," Buta Singh told reporters in Patna.

71-year-old Singh faxed his resignation within hours of taking the salute at the Republic Day parade.

His exit had appeared imminent after the strong indictment by the Supreme Court in the case relating to dissolution of the Bihar Assembly last year saying his report to the Centre was 'misleading' and was done to prevent the JD(U) from forming a Government in May.

Referring to the Supreme Court's criticism that he had misled the Centre, Singh said he had sent two reports to the President on April 27 and May 21 only on the basis of 'strong proof' of horse-trading.

On the other criticism that he had not entertained the claim of Janata Dal (JD) United (U) to form the Government, he put a counter question 'who claimed'.

"Injustice has been meted out to me," he said adding "Out of sheer respect for the Supreme Court I have resigned".

To a query whether he has been made a scapegoat, Singh dismissed it as a 'politically-motivated question'.