AH Vishwanath announces retirement from electoral politics

Mysuru: Former minister and BJP MLC AH Vishwanath on Thursday announced his retirement from electoral politics. He said that he will not contest any elections henceforth, but will remain active in politics.Speaking to reporters, he said that it is difficult for him and his family members, including his two sons, to contest assembly elections in the current situation, as the expenditure has increased while the candidate needs to distribute money to woo voters. He said a candidate needs a minimum of Rs 50 crore to contest assembly polls.Nowadays, only people in the real estate business can contest such elections because they can sell their land, houses, or other properties to raise money for election-related expenses, he claimed. "Someone like me can't spend such huge sums on elections, because I own only a house and a plot of land in my name," he said.Vishwanath also criticised the BSY Abhimanotsava being held on Saturday in Chitradurga, while former CM BS Yediyurappa is facing a Pocso case. "It is not wise for Union home minister Amit Shah to attend the event," he said.He criticised the Siddaramaiah govt for revoking the suspension of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao and alleged corruption. According to him, Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah has received money to revoke the IPS officer's suspension.