Alva relieved of key party posts

New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) Sending out a clear signal that indiscipline in the party will not be tolerated, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today accepted the resignation of AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva and relieved her of all the key party posts.

Facing disciplinary action for her allegations of nepotism in the party and sale of party tickets in the recent Karnataka Assembly polls, Mrs Alva had yesterday submitted her resignation to Mrs Gandhi.

''Mrs Alva had met Disciplinary Action Committee Chairman A K Antony and later submitted her resignation to Mrs Gandhi. The resignation has been accepted,'' Congress Spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.

Mrs Alva had resigned as AICC general secretary and as a member of the Congress Working Committee and the party's Central Election Committee.

''She continues to be a loyal member of the Congress party,'' Mr Ahmed said, indicating that no action had been taken against her by the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) yet.

Asked whether she had been stripped off key party posts for raising ''valid'' questions, Mr Ahmed said she had herself realised her mistake and so submitted her resignation.

He said if she had any grievances, she should have put it in the party fora such as the DAC rather than airing it through the media.

''Such indiscipline is not allowed in party politics. Anybody indulging in it is not working in the party's interest,'' he said.

Asked whether any inquiry would be held to look into her allegations, Mr Ahmed said there was no need for an inquiry at this stage.

He said the Antony Committee was formed after the Karnataka Assembly polls, which held detailed discussions on the polls.

Anybody having any grievance should have addressed it to the Committee then.

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