Bangalore: Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting M.H. Ambareesh resigned on Wednesday from the Union Council of Ministers and the Lok Sabha in protest against the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award. He represents the Cauvery heartland of Mandya in the Lok Sabha.

Mr. Ambareesh, who was inducted into the Cabinet only four months ago, took his constituency and supporters by surprise by announcing his decision on the sidelines of a public function at the Karnataka High Court.

He said: "I am not interested in power. Let me do my bit for the benefit of the farmers of the Cauvery basin region of Karnataka."

Not in proper format

New Delhi Special Correspondent reports:

The Speaker's office said Mr. Ambareesh's resignation letter was not in the proper format. It is said that the Minister had given the reason why he decided to quit whereas, according to the rules, he should not do so.

Meanwhile, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee accepted the resignation of Shiv Sena MP Subodh Mohite.

Mr. Mohite, a former Union Minister in the Vajpayee Government, who represented Ramtek, is understood to have taken the step following his differences with Sena leaders. With his resignation, the Sena's strength has been reduced to 11 in the Lok Sabha.

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