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- By Parinda News Bureau, March 23, 2006, 16:20 IST
Sonia Gandhi, Congress president and chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance government today resigned from the Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament from Rae Bareli. She has also resigned from the post of chairperson of the National Advisory Council.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had petitioned the President on Thursday, asking him to disqualify Sonia Gandhi on the grounds of her holding an 'office of profit'.
A statement was issued to announce her resignation in which Sonia Gandhi said, "In the last few days some Opposition parties are trying to create an impression that the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance are using Parliament and the government only to protect me. This has hurt me very much."
"I have stated earlier also that I am in politics and public life not for my selfish ends," she said. "I have taken a pledge to serve the people of the country and to protect secular ideals. So, in keeping with my public life and political principles and according to my own belief, I resign as member of Lok Sabha and Chairperson of National Advisory Council. I have full faith that brothers and sisters of Rae Bareli and the whole nation will understand this feeling of mine."
Sonia Gandhi has said she will fight elections again from Rae Bareli.
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