Virbhadra's resignation does not mean he is guilty: Congress

The Congress today sought to project a moral high ground over the resignation of Union Minister Virbhadra Singh by insisting that his guilt in the corruption case had not yet been established.

"Virbhadra Singh has taken moral responsibility and resigned. A chargesheet has been filed. But it does not mean that he is guilty. Guilt has not been proven", AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.

With the Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh due soon apparently on his mind, Dwivedi said, "We hope that he will come out clean and free from the charges and face his adversaries in Himachal Pradesh successfully".

The matter is in court and the legal battle will continue, said Dwivedi adding that Singh, who is a five time Chief Minister of the hilly state, has resigned from the Union Cabinet and not from the party.

Virbhadra is a prominent face of the Congress in Himachal Pradesh and his resignation has come at a time when the Prem Kumar Dhumal-led BJP ministry is making a major issue of the charges framed against him.