It was curtains for the Natwar Singh affair this evening as the Union minister without portfolio met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon after his return from Russia and handed in his resignation.Natwar told reporters after the meeting that he had faxed his resignation to the Prime Minister last night and had ‘‘handed it over to him personally now.’’The communication, read by him to reporters, said: ‘‘This is my letter of resignation from the Union Cabinet as minister without portfolio. It has been a privilege to be a member of your Cabinet.’’ ‘‘My admiration for your sagacity, wisdom, calm and self-assurance grew by the day,’’ he added.Natwar, who was known to share a less-than-comfortable relationship with Manmohan Singh, said: ‘‘I hold the Prime Minister in high esteem. I am proud to have been associated with him in the government.’’ He said the Prime Minister was highly educated and went deep into everything. ‘‘I told him (Manmohan Singh) that my personal relations with him will continue.’’When asked about his future plans, Natwar said he would continue to write, play with his grandchildren and go for a holiday.When asked about the disclosures made by his one-time aide Aniel Mathrani, Natwar responded with an Urdu couplet: Parwana hoon, shama to ho, raat to ho; marne ke liye taiyaar hoon, kuchch baat to ho (I am a moth, but let there be at least a flame and night—I am ready to lay down my life, but let there be a reason.’’
