New Delhi: Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi today announced her resignation from the Lok Sabha. She also announced her resignation as chairperson of the National Advisory Council on the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the ruling UPA government.She will, however, remain leader of the Congress party.

"Some people have been trying to create an atmosphere as if the government and parliament are being used to favour me. This has hurt me very much," Ms Gandhi explained, reading from a written statement at her 10, Janpath residence in New Delhi. "I am in politics and public life, not for my selfish ends but to serve the people of the country and to protect secular ideals," she said, pointing out that her resignations were "in keeping with my political principles and beliefs".

However, she made it clear that she would contest the by-election from her Rae Bareily constituency. "I have full faith that my brothers and sisters in Rae Bareily and the whole nation will understand my feelings," the Congress president said.

Earlier, on Monday, the Congress said that Sonia Gandhi was not holding an office of profit as chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC). "The NAC chairperson neither holds an office nor receives any profit; nor is it under the government in any manner,'''' said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi.

He said the NAC does not constitute an office of profit, as it is an advisory body whose recommendations are not binding. Her appointment as NAC chairperson only gives Ms Gandhi cabinet rank and does not confer any salary or perks to her, he contended.

Jaya Bachchan was earlier disqualified as a member of the Rajya Sabha on March 17, with effect from July 14, 2004, the day she became UP Film Development Corporation chief. This may mean that all her speeches, interventions, questions and acts as an MP from that date on can be expunged from the house records, as if she was not a member after that date. Though Section 107 of the Representation of Peoples Act states that when a high court unseats a member, all actions remain valid, there is no precedent till date of the President disqualifying a member with retrospective effect.

Members of parliament are protected by the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, which lists offices that do not attract disqualification. Ms Bachchan''s case has led to a flurry of over 40 disqualification petitions to the President. A number of prominent figures may face disqualification proceedings as a result.

Sonia Gandhi''s abrupt resignation was reminiscent of her renunciation of the prime minister''s post in May 2004, when the Congress-led UPA regained power, naming Dr Manmohan Singh as the new prime minister.

The Lok Sabha had been adjourned sine-die on Wednesday, following an uproar in parliament by opposition parties when the government announced its decision to include the post of the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council in the list of posts exempted as being an office of profit.

In a tit-for-tat retaliation over the disqualification from the Rajya Sabha of film actress and opposition Samajwadi Party member, Jaya Bachchan, the opposition parties had petitioned president A P J Abdul Kalam for the disqualification of Sonia Gandhi for being chairperson of the National Advisory Council, while being a member of parliament.

Under the Indian constitution, barring around 60 specified posts that are exempt from being treated as office of profits, MPs are not allowed to hold positions from which they derive pecuniary benefits.