CNN-IBN

New Delhi, Mar 25: Leading industrialist Anil Ambani resigned from the Rajya Sabha on Saturday, saying he was doing so to uphold the highest standards of transparency, propriety and ethics in public life.

Office of profit has now claimed a victim from the industry. Anil Ambani resigned from the Rajya Sabha because he is a member of the Uttar Pradesh Development Council (UPDC). Ambani had been chosen to the Rajya Sabha from UP with the support of Samajwadi Party.

In a statement, Ambani said that he has an advisory role in the council, but he has resigned to uphold the highest standards of transparency and propriety. He added that there was no indication that the UPDC seat would conflict with his Rajya Sabha membership but he wanted to concentrate on business not on politics.

"Keeping this in mind, I have decided to tender my resignation from the Rajya Sabha with imemdiate effect," he said.

Anil Ambani, Chairman of the new Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh in June 2004.

Ambani, who had joined the Uttar Pradesh Development Council (UPDC) in an honorary capacity in October 2003, will, however, continue to perform an advisory role in the council.

Dr Karan Singh and Dr Kapila Vatsayayan are the other two members of the Rajya Sabha who have resigned so far following the controversy over "offices of profit". Dr Karan Singh is the president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) while Dr Vatsayayan is the president of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts.