Akali MLA's resignation remains mysterious.

Amritsar, May 21 (UNI) On the eve of the Amritsar South assembly by-election, the resignation of an MLA of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) from the Punjab Assembly created a stir in the political circles here today.

The city was rife with rumours that SAD MLA from Beas, Manjinder Singh Kang had quit the assembly as the party had ignored him while selecting candidates for the Gram Panchayat polls from his constituency. The resignation 'drama' remained shrouded in mystery, with SAD sources claiming that he had not resigned while the MLA's close aides claimed that he had quit.

While there was no confirmation from the MLA himself, his personel assistant (PA) Rajinder Singh claimed that Mr Kang had sent his resignation letter through two of his supporters--Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandik Committee (SGPC) member Jagir Sing and Daljit Singh Jallalusman. The two leaders had gone to Chandigarh to meet Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and to hand over the resignation letter.

Mr Rajinder Singh stated that the MLA was feeling ignored by the SAD leadership as he was not being consulted in matters relating to his constituency. The development in Beas constituency had come to a halt despite the segment having a SAD representative, he added.

SAD secretary Daljit Singh Cheema when contacted stated that he too had heard of Mr Kang's resignation. ''However the party had not received any kind of intimation from the MLA,'' he added.

Assembly Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon when contacted categorically stated that he had not received any resignation letter from the MLA.

''Neither has my secretariat received any such letter,'' he added.

However, efforts to reach Mr Kang proved futile as none were aware of his whereabouts. His PA who was in possession of the MLAs mobile phone while confirming the resignation said that Mr Kang was taking rest as he was not feeling well.

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