Veteran Himachal politician Mankotia retires

Shimla, Oct 17 (IANS) Vijay Singh Mankotia, Himachal Pradesh convener of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and former Congress minister in the state, Friday announced his retirement from active politics, blaming 'dirty politics' for his exit.

'I am taking retirement from politics as I am fed up with politicians and their petty gimmicks,' Mankotia told IANS on phone from Dharamsala.

The disgruntled former legislator from Kangra had joined the BSP in July 2007. He was suspended from the Congress for criticising state leaders and the party high command.

He had released a much-hyped audio CD of a telephonic conversation of monetary transactions between former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratiba and a former bureaucrat.

He had also released a list of corrupt state bureaucrats and politicians, especially those who were close to Singh.

'All the issues that I had raised in the recent past ranging from corruption within politics to the common man's cause could not satisfy my aim of ensuring clean politics... it's better to leave politics once and for all rather than working within the corrupt system,' Mankotia said.

'I have sent my resignation to BSP supremo Mayawati. I am a free bird now... can devote time to my family and promote my interests,' he added.