Govt accepts resignation of Nehru Museum director Mahesh Rangarajan

New Delhi: The Union Tourism Ministry on Thursday accepted the resignation of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) chairman Mahesh Rangarajan.

Rangarajan had earlier this week offered to resign as director of the NMML

At a meeting of the executive council on Monday, Rangarajan had offered to resign citing personal reasons — like the need to take care of an elderly member of his family — after which most of the members in the eight-member council, chaired by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) president Lokesh Chandra, asked him to reconsider his move, as per sources.

The offer of resignation came just days after Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma termed his appointment during UPA rule as "illegal".

Sharma had accused the previous UPA regime of "illegally" appointing him as NMML director, violating an order of the Election Commission (EC) last year asking the Culture Ministry to defer the move until polls were completed, and said the government would take appropriate action.

However, at Monday's council meeting, Rangarajan was told NMML was an autonomous body and his continuation will be decided by the council. He was also given an option where he could be given time to address his personal issues, sources said.

Apart from Rangarajan and Chandra, NMML executive council members include eminent journalist and BJP member MJ Akbar (Vice-Chairman), Nitin Desai, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Prasar Bharati chief A Surya Prakash and Culture Ministry additional secretary and financial advisor Raghav Chandra.

(With PTI inputs)