New Delhi:
Ambika Soni, who quit as Information and Broadcasting Minister today on the eve of a cabinet reshuffle, says she has resigned to work towards strengthening the Congress party.
"I was asked if I would like to work in the party and naturally, if I would like to work in the party, I would have to give full time to the party which would entail resigning from the cabinet.
"So for me, it has always been a matter of great pride and honour to work for the Indian National Congress," Ms Soni told reporters.
"Today, if Sonia Gandhi wants me to work for the party, to strengthen it, to reach out to the workers who sometimes feel despondent with all the things that come up in the media from time to time, I'm very happy that she has provided me with an opportunity," she said.
Asked if the cabinet reshuffle was in preparation for the 2014 general elections, Ms Soni said: "Indeed. In the political and economic environment prevailing in the country, there are a number of challenges that are facing us. And the country has a lot of expectations from the Congress. Sonia Gandhi has recently stated that every Congressman and woman must work hard for the party and country."
Besides Ms Soni, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay and Minister of State for Justice and Empowerment Mahadev Khandela quit their posts on Friday and Saturday ahead of the cabinet rejig on Sunday.