Bhairon Singh Shekhawat decides to resign

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Saturday decided to resign in the wake of his defeat in the Presidential poll.

Accepting his defeat with "all humility", Shekhawat said he has sought time from President APJ Abdul Kalam for a meeting to submit his resignation.

Soon after UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil was declared elected for the top Constitutional post, 84-year-old Shekhawat said he accepted his defeat with "all humility".

He issued a brief statement congratulating Patil and said he would continue to work for unity and integrity of the country.

He said he would continue to "work for the uplift of poor and deprived sections of the society so that they can enjoy their fundamental rights with dignity".