As part of the Congress' strategy to draft in union ministers for full-time party work in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls, Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes has reportedly resigned.

Fernandes is said to have taken the decision in order to devote himself full time to party work. The move came shortly after the Election Commission released the schedule for the five-phase Lok Sabha polls earlier on Monday.

Fernandes is the second union minister after Jairam Ramesh to have resigned from the union council of ministers.

Ramesh had resigned as minister of state for Power and Commerce last week to be roped in exclusively for party work.

Ramesh later joined the Congress 'war-room' for LS polls. Fernandes is also slated to join him for crafting election strategies.