Ambika Soni dismisses reports of quitting Congress

The news spread just after party veteran Shankersinh Vaghela said he was sacked by the party 24 hours back.

Congress general secretary Ambika Soni on Friday rejected the reports of her resignation to the party, saying that I had just asked to tighten the leadership in Himachal due to her ill-health.

Reports are rife that Amibika Soni has offered resignation to the Congress.

Soni is the AICC general secretary incharge of party affairs in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

"There is no question of resigning," Soni told PTI.

"I had myself asked the party leadership to lighten my duties in the party due to my health," she said, adding that she will continue to fulfil the responsibilities till new appointments are made.

She, however, continues to be the party general secretary and incharge of the states. Sources said that she will continue to fulfil her responsibilities till new appointments are made.

Party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "We strongly reject insinuations being planted by our adversaries regarding her resignation."

He described her as one of the "most seasoned, experienced and capable" leaders of the party.

"A year ago Ambika Soni had requested the party leadership to lighten her duties on account of her health. The party has and will always continue to utilise her experience and acumen," he said.

The Congress leadership is in the process of restructuring the party by bringing in some new faces in leading roles, ahead of organisational elections that are set to end by October 15.

The Congress leadership has already made some new appointments in poll-bound states, including Gujarat, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.

Sources say that the party leadership is in the process of appointing a new PCC chief for Madhya Pradesh and some restructuring is expected in its Himachal Pradesh unit.

Himachal Pradesh goes to polls along with Gujarat in November this year.

The news spread just after party veteran Shankersinh Vaghela said he was sacked by the party 24 hours back.

PTI