Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 19: Two eminent personalities, who were nominated for the membership of Tulu Sahitya Academy by the state government just two days ago, have withdrawn their membership.

Sai Geetha and Dr Y N Shetty are the ones who have not accepted the membership. They have cited personal reasons for their withdrawal from the membership.

Giving her opinion for backtracking Sai Geetha said, "It will be difficult for me to pay attention to the works of the academy as I am involved in some literary works. So I have withdrawn from my membership. But my withdrawal from the membership is being portrayed as my resentment on the appointment of the new president. This is far from truth."

On his part Dr Y N Shetty said, "I have shouldered the responsibility of Tulu Sahitya Academy in the past as its member. I was an aspirant for the president post this time around. As the seniority is not considered while appointing the president, I have withdrawn from the membership."

Responding to the withdrawal of membership by two people, Dayananda Kattalsar, new president of Tulu Sahitya Academy said, "The state government has identified the eligible persons, in order to maintain the transparency and has selected members. Two members have backtracked because of personal reasons. However, both have good regards on me."