The Hindu Business Line : After three turbulent years, Antony calls it a day

THE Chief Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, who has been in power for three years, announced his decision to resign at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport after seeing off the Congress-I President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, this evening.

He will continue to hold the post till a successor is named. The Congress Legislative Party will hold a meeting on Monday to elect a new leader, he added.

According to Mr Antony, he had broached the idea of resignation with Ms Gandhi during discussions at the airport and she allowed him to proceed.

Answering a question, he said he had expressed the willingness to resign immediately after the drubbing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) received in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year.

The Chief Minister said he wanted to own up responsibility for the worst ever performance of the UDF in parliamentary elections in the State.

The resignation paves the way for the reshuffle of the State Cabinet, which has been hanging fire for some time.

In 2001, the UDF had secured a two-thirds majority in the State Assembly and wrested power from the Marxist-led coalition.

But a series of political wrangles involving senior functionaries of his own party as well as leaders of constituent parties saw Mr Antony being forced to a tight spot.

The results of the parliamentary elections were the last straw, with a strong faction of the Congress and individual members, apart from leaders of constituent parties demanding Mr Antony's resignation.

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Antony resigns

After three turbulent years, Antony calls it a day