Text of the resignation letter written by the Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi to the Congress Working Committee.

At this morning’s meeting of the Congress Working Committee, certain of my colleagues expressed views to the effect that my having been born elsewhere is a liability to the Congress Party. I am pained by their lack of confidence in my ability to act in the best interests of the Party and the country.

In these circumstances, my sense of loyalty to the Party and duty to my country compel me to tender my resignation from the post of the Party President.

Though born in a foreign land, I chose India as my country. I am Indian, and I will remain so till my last breath. India is my motherland, dearer to me than my own life.

I came into the service of the Congress Party knowing that it is the only party capable of providing India with a stable, secular, progressive and independent government. That belief remains unshakeable. I came into the service of the party not for a position of power but because the Party faced a challenge to its very existence, and I could not stand idly by. I do not intend to do so now. I have been privileged to receive the love and affection of ordinary Congress men and women from all over the country, and I will continue to serve the Party as a loyal and active member to the best of my ability.

Sonia Gandhi