Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, Oct 17: Former minister, Sa Ra Mahesh, said that he had filed his resignation from his assembly membership on September 18 as he was hurt by the comments made by former minister H Vishwanath, against him. He said that the ball is now in the court of the assembly speaker.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday October 16, Mahesh said that in his political career, he had never indulged in personal vilification against anyone and asserted that he will continue to follow the same policy. "But Vishwanath made personal remarks about me thrice. I was extremely hurt, and explained my pain in the assembly session. Having been mentally distressed by all these developments, I have resigned from my position as legislator. As the speaker was not in headquarters when I went there with the resignation letter, I handed it to the assembly secretary. Thereafter, the speaker invited me twice and tried to dissuade me from resigning, but I have not agreed to withdraw my resignation letter," he explained.

Mahesh said that in his opinion, the private and public life of politicians should be like a white sheet. He agreed that as alleged by Vishwanath, he had done real estate business and that except this source, he has not earned money from any other source.

"I have accepted the challenge posed by Vishwanath to me. As per his wishes, I will be ready at Chamundi Hill at 9 am on Thursday. Let Vishwanath also come there. Let him also take a oath that neither him or his family have been lured by any offers in resigning from the assembly membership," he challenged. He also said that if Vishwanath vows that what the former has lied, he is ready to apologize to the people of the state.

In the meanwhile, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, said that he has advised Mahesh to withdraw his resignation letter. He said that Mahesh would withdraw his resignation on Thursday.