New Delhi: Meira Kumar, who has resigned as Union Minister for Water Resources, said on Monday that she has been nominated as a candidate for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker by the UPA.
"Yes I have resigned (from the post of the Union Water Resources Minister). UPA has nominated me for the post of (Lok Sabha) Speaker," she told reporters in New Delhi.
She thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA allies for nominating "a woman" for the office of the Speaker.
She, however, declined to take any further questions, saying "I will talk on this only after June 3 when the election of the Speaker is scheduled".
Meira Kumar had resigned as Water Resources Minister last night, just two days after taking charge of the ministry.
Meira's resignation was immediately forwarded by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to President Pratibha Patil for acceptance. Patil has accepted the resignation.