NEW DELHI, Dec 6: India’s former foreign minister Kunwar Natwar Singh on Tuesday announced his decision to quit as minister without portfolio but said that the move did not mean an acceptance of his guilt in the oil-for-food scandal.

Mr Singh told reporters outside his residence that he did not want be an excuse for the opposition to stall Parliament, which has not done any business since the Volcker Committee report named Mr Singh and his Congress party as unfair beneficiaries in the Iraqi oil for food deal.

“Hence, I have decided to tender resignation from the Union Council of Ministers despite the fact that I have not violated any law in letter and spirit,” Mr Singh said. “I reiterate that I am completely innocent and no charge has been framed or brought up against me,” he said.