New Delhi, Jan 11 :     The secretary general of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), E N Murthy, has resigned. He relinquished his post on January 7. Murthy, when contacted, said, 'I have resigned on personal grounds. I have received a few offers from some private concerns though I have not made up my mind regarding any of them. It is premature for me to comment on it.' Murthy had intimated the Assocham secretariat about his decision to quit some three months back, but was asked to continue till the chamber's annual session was over. Murthy's sudden exit has left many Assocham insiders surprised, while many said they had seen it coming. Sources said Murthy who was hand-picked by then president L Lakshman, saw his role gradually diluted over the past few months, owing to the entry of some senior officials. Insiders say he was perceived as 'not being sufficiently high profile.' Murthy joined Assocham in April 1998 after the unceremonious exit of V Raghuraman who was also perceived as lacking 'clout.'