The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of the following members of the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect:

Shri S.M. Krishna Minister of External Affairs

Smt. Ambika Soni Minister of Information & Broadcasting

Shri Mukul Wasnik Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment

Shri Subodh Kant Sahay Minister for Tourism

Shri Mahadeo Singh Khandela Minister of State for Tribal Affairs

Shri Vincent Pala Minister of State for Water Resources & Minority Affairs

Ms. Agatha Sangma Minister of State for Rural Development

This release issued at 1840 hrs