Maran resigns from Union Cabinet

Chennai, May 13 (UNI) In a day of major political developments, Union Communications and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran resigned tonight, hours after the DMK authorised its President M Karunanidhi to take a decision on his continuation in the Cabinet.

Mr Maran, who is camping in Udagamandalam hill resort in Tamil Nadu, faxed his resignation letter to the Prime Minister's Office.

The DMK action-drive against Mr Maran, following the attack on Tamil daily 'Dinakaran' at Madurai on May nine, climaxed with his resignation tonight.

Mr Maran in a desperate effort to buy peace with Mr Karunanidhi, had called on him yesterday and offered to resign. However, Mr Karunanidhi admonishingly asked him to send the resignation letter to the Prime Minister ''if he (Mr Maran) wanted''.

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