Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Virbhadra Singh has resigned from the Union Cabinet following the framing of corruption charges against him for allegedly misusing his office when he was the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister in 1989. PMO sources confirmed that he met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today and tendered his resignation. Dr Singh has accepted his resignation and forwarded it to the President.

Talking to media persons in New Delhi, Mr Virbhadra Singh said he did not want to embarrass the party and the Prime Minister following the framing of charges against him by a Himachal Pradesh court. He said that he has been in politics for over 50 years including five time Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Claiming that he was being framed, Mr Virbhadra Singh said that nobody has ever raised a finger on his honesty and integrity.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said he will go to the court of law and the court of people and expose all.

AIR Correspondent adds that according to the charges framed against the former Chief Minister, he allegedly granted favours to industrialists and his conversation was allegedly recorded and an audio CD was made.