Kalaburagi: My resignation not being accepted deliberately, says Umesh Jadhav

Kalaburagi: Alleging that the acceptance of his resignation from the Assembly is being deliberately delayed, the BJP candidate for the Kalaburagi LS seat Dr Umesh Jadhav on Friday declared that he would soon file his nomination papers for the seat.

However Dr Jadhav hastened to add that Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar was a man of high principles and he would accept the resignation soon. “After I submitted my resignation, the Speaker had assured me that he would deliver the verdict as per the law. I have confidence that the resignation will be accepted by March 25,” Dr Jadhav said.

In the first list of candidates announced on March 21, the BJP had cleared Dr Jadhav's name for the Kalaburagi SC constituency against veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Speaking to the media here, Dr Jadhav said he could contest the polls even if he is disqualified by the Speaker. “I have consulted legal experts and they have advised me that I could contest even if my resignation is not accepted or I am disqualified. I will file my nomination on a suitable date. I appeal to voters not to get confused and I assure you that I will not allow abuse of the election machinery by my opponents,” Dr Jadhav said.

Referring to former Minister A.B. Malakaraddy joining the BJP, Dr Jadhav said he has received immense strength following his guru's decision. “Certain forces are spreading canards to scuttle my chances,” he said.