Pratibha to submit resignation today

New Delhi, June 21 (UNI) UPA Presidential Candidate Pratibha Patel will resign as Governor of Rajasthan this evening, amid indications that she will file her nomination papers for the July 19 elections on June 23.

Congress Party sources said here today that she would meet President A P J Abdul Kalam at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan at 1545 hrs and submit her resignation.

Ms Patil has been Rajasthan Governor since 2004.

After her resignation, Ms Patil will be introduced to a meeting of the AICC office bearers and Congress Chief Ministers at Congress President Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath.

The meeting, which will begin at 1800 hrs, will finalise a campaign strategy for Ms Patil who will be the first woman President if she wins the election.

UNI