Facing a rout in the assembly polls with his bitter political foe All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Jayalalithaa storming back to power, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Friday submitted the resignation of his ministry.

Conceding defeat without waiting for the final tally, Karunanidhi submitted the resignation of his council of ministers as trends showed that the AIADMK-led front was poised for a landslide win.

Governor S S Barnala accepted the resignation of Karunanidhi and his council of ministers (with effect) from this afternoon, a Raj Bhavan communique said.

Accepting the resignation, Barnala has asked the 87 year-old leader and his colleagues to continue functioning in the present capacity as he appreciated the advice and co-operation offered by the DMK president.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation of the advice and co-operation offered to me by you throughout our association," Barnala said in a letter to Karunanidhi.

"I would also like to say that I have greatly appreciated the personal courtesy extended to me, at all times", he said in the letter.