President Pranab Mukherjee accepts Jayanthi Natarajan's resignation

President Pranab Mukherjee, as advised by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has accepted the resignation of Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment & Forests, from the Council of Ministers, with immediate effect

Further, as advised by the Prime Minister of India, President Mukherjee has directed that M. Veerappa Moily, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, shall be given additional charge of the work of Ministry of Environment & Forests.

Natarajan's resignation from the Union Cabinet is being viewed by the media as steps being taken by the Congress Party to prepare for the 2014 general elections

More ministers are expected to quit the government for party work, television reports said.