Agencies

New Delhi, Mar 23: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has resigned as a Member of Parliament from Rae Bareilly.

She said she is also stepping down as the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council.

Announcing her resignation, Sonia Gandhi said she was deeply hurt by the whole hullaballo raised by the Opposition over the proposal to bring in an ordinance to modify the law book and redefine an 'office of profit'.

"For the last two days, some people have been trying to create an atmosphere as if the government and Parliament are being used to favour me. This has hurt me very much," Gandhi said reading out a statement at her 10, Janpath residence.

"I have stated it 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 the 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," she said.

"I have full faith that brothers and sisters of Rae Bareilly and the whole nation will understand this feeling of mine," the Congress President said.

"I have been dragged into a needless controversy. I hope people in Rae Bareilly will understand me," she said.

She said she has sent her letter of resignation to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

"I have done this because it is the right thing to do," she said.

The Congress President also said that she will again contest the elections for the Lok Sabha seat.