New Delhi, January 4: Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken on Thursday resigned as chief of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee. Sources in the party say that party president Rahul Gandhi has accepted his resignation. The reason for resignation is yet to be ascertained.

The decision of the senior Congressman resigning from the top post comes months ago before the big litmus test for the party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Though sources claim that Maken might have given health reason for his resignation, with the current stats available, Congress could consider giving the 54-year-old leader a new central role or even contesting the Lok Sabha election. Rahul Gandhi Takes Dig at PM Narendra Modi With 'Missing Q3' Twist on Rafale Deal.

Maken met the Congress president last night before announcing his resignation. He took to Twitter on Friday and wrote (in Hindi), тАЬAfter the 2015 assembly election, in the past four years as Delhi Congress resident, I received immense love and support from Rahul Gandhi, workers and the media. It was not easy in these difficult circumstances. I am grateful.тАЭ

In October too, there were reports that Maken had stepped down citing health issues, but the party had denied the reports. After the party did not perform well in civic polls in 2017, 54-year-old leader had resigned, but took it back on Gandhi asked him to continue.

After the former Union minister and two-time parliamentarian resignation, Arvinder Singh Lovely would take charge as Delhi Congress chief.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2019 09:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).