Dayanidhi Maran resigns from Union Cabinet

Chennai, May 14: Union Communications and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran tonight resigned from the Cabinet following the DMK issuing a showcause notice on him.

Mr Maran, camping in the hill station of Ooty, faxed his resignation to the Prime Minister's Office.

The resignation came after ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu today sought the removal of Mr Maran from the Cabinet for violating party discipline and tarnishing its image.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the party's administrative committee meeting held here under the leadership of Party President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. The resolution was later released to the media.

The action against Mr Maran, grand nephew of Mr Karunanidhi, came four days after 'Dinakaran', a daily owned by the minister's elder brother Kalanidhi Maran, was attacked in Madurai in which three people were killed.

The attack was carried out by the supporters of M K Azhagiri, elder son of Karunanidhi, over a survey in the daily about the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's political heir.

Mr Maran, in a desperate bid to buy peace with his political mentor, called on Mr Karunanidhi yesterday and offered to resign.

UNI

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