Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna on Wednesday resigned following allegations that she tried to influence a vigilance official to save her relative facing a corruption case.

She submitted her resignation to Karunanidhi who said he was "ashamed" that a minister was involved in such a controversy.

Poongothai's decision to resign followed the release of her telephone conversation with a top Vigilance department official S K Upadhyaya, asking him to 'go easy' on the corruption case involving a Tamil Nadu Electricity Board official who is also her first cousin.

The recorded telephone conversation between the Minister and Upadhyaya was released to the media by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy two days ago.

"In this incident, there has been an effort to save a person charged with bribery allegations since he was her relative.I feel ashamed for the fact that a minister has been involved in the issue," Karunanidhi told the assembly while disclosing that Poongothai had submitted her resignation to him.

Replying to a query from Deputy Leader of AIADMK Legislature Party O Panneerselvam, Karunanidhi he said he has not yet decided on whether to accept or reject the resignation.