KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 16

Minister for Defence and Nepali Congress leader Minendra Rijal has announced his resignation as defence minister, today.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had assigned him the portfolio on October 8.

"I have decided to resign from the post of Defense Minister in view of the message clearly received from the initial results of the post general-secretary, I contested for which in the 14th General Convention of Nepali Congress," the defence minister wrote on his social media profile.

Rijal further said that he would tender his resignation to PM Deuba after the result of the vote is officially declared. "As soon as the final result is received, I will submit my resignation before the Honorable Prime Minister."

Rijal was up against Gagan Thapa, Pradeep Paudel, and Biswa Prakash Sharma for the position of NC General Secretary, when in Thapa is maintaining a comfortable lead, followed by Sharma.

Many people have lauded Rijal for his decision, calling it a rare act on morality in Nepali political scenario.