President A P J Abdul Kalam has referred to the Election Commission a petition seeking the disqualification of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as members of Parliament.

There are no details available as to who filed the petition. But it is understood that the petition seeks disqualification of Singh and Chidambaram on the ground that they were holding offices of profit as trustees of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

EC sources said the petition has been received but gave no details.

Onkar Singh adds from New Delhi:

Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images] sources have pleaded ignorance about the petition.

"I am not aware of any such development," S M Khan, press secretary to the President, said.

EC sources have been confirming that such a petition exists and that it has been referred to for its opinion.

Khan however added that whatever petition seen by the president is promptly disposed of.