New Delhi:   Jayanthi Natarajan has resigned as the Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests. President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted her resignation on Saturday December 21.

Speculations are rife that Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has initiated the move as he has a  larger plan to overhaul the Congress ahead of upcoming Parliamentary elections.

Reportedly Jayanthi Natarajan has been asked to return to party work as she is expected to be involved in the  work relating to drafting manifesto and other election matters.

The 59-year-old leader, a senior member of Rajya Sabha for the third term, hails from Tamil Nadu and was  inducted as Minister for State for Environment two years ago. Sources said more ministers are expected to resign soon as Congress prepares itself for the general elections.