Shimla, December 17
The month-long drama over the resignation of Mr Vidya Sagar as Agriculture Minister on the issue of reservation for Other Backward Classes ended today when the Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, accepted his resignation.

Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, had forwarded the resignation to the Governor last night. Mr Dhumal met him at the IGMC Hospital where Dr Bhan is undergoing treatment.

Mr Sagar resigned on November 15 and after relinquishing his ministerial duties left for his native place Kangra. He also surrendered his official car. However, Mr Dhumal acknowledged having received the same only a few days ago.

Mr Sagar had cited several reasons for taking the extreme step but his main grouse was that the BJP government had not granted 27 per cent reservation to Other Backward Classes as promised in the election manifesto of the party. His other grievances included discrimination against Kangra constituency with regard to development and transfers of employees and officers.

He was hoping that the Chief Minister would hold talks to settle his grievances but Mr Dhumal gave him a cold shoulder and bided his time to gauge the reaction of the backward classes to his resignation.