Union Minister Virbhadra Singh resigns over anti-graft charges

Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Virbhadra Singh Tuesday submitted his resigned to Prime Minister, reacting over his alleged charges of anti-graft portrayed in infamous CD case.

Citing the charges 'false', Union Minister said, 'I have submitted my resignation to PM, but all the charges against me are false and concocted.'

He alleged opposition Bhartiya Janta Party for concocting false charges.

"It has tried to register false cases against me earlier too," Virbhadra Singh said. "In the past I have come out clean. This time also I will come out clean."

According to sources, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accepted the resignation and forwarded it to President.

"I will fight it out both at the grassroots and in courts," said former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh by adding that he would return to his home state and would try to strengthen his party ahead of the forthcoming (assembly) elections.

A Shimla court Monday framed charges of corruption against Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh in connection with a 23-year-old CD case.

The case against Virbhadra Singh pertains to a CD from 1989 which allegedly shows him, when he was chief minister, and his wife demanding a bribe to allow investment in Himachal Pradesh.

--With IANS Inputs--