Sonia had no other option but to resign: Marandi

Kolkata, Mar 23: BJP Vice-President Babulal Marandi today termed the resignation of Congress President Sonia Gandhi from the Lok Sabha as well as from the National Advisory Council, as a 'political gimmick,' saying she had no other option.

''Mrs Gandhi might have realised that she was left with no option in the wake of growing demand for her resignation from the Lok Sabha but to step down with honour,'' he said, reacting to the sudden announcement of the Congress President's resignation in New Delhi.

Stating that she should have resigned at least 24 hours ago had she been 'truly honest' to her commitment, the former Jharkhand chief minister said, ''it is better late than never. Otherwise the gimmick would have no meaning at all.'' Asked about possible steps to be taken by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee now that Mrs Gandhi had resigned, Mr Marandi said ''let's see what happens'' and justified the demand for his resignation from his post immediately.

He was also critical of the UPA government's decision to abort the budget session of Parliament abruptly yesterday to make way for an ordinance, and described it as ''unprecedented'' in the history of post independent India. ''They have set a very bad precedent,'' he said.

Earlier, on his arrival here Mr Marandi, the party's poll observer for West Bengal, announced the BJP's decision to field candidates in 24 assembly constituencies in the coming polls.

UNI