Mysuru: Maintaining that he was falsely implicated in a rape charge, seven years ago, former Minister and BJP leader Haratalu Halappa said that he is now a much relieved man, with a local Court in Shivamogga district giving him a clean chit in the case.

Speaking to press persons after visiting the Suttur Mutt yesterday,  where he sought blessings of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Haratalu Halappa said that Suttur Seer has guided him and his family members when they were facing difficult times.

Stating that he visited Suttur Mutt to seek the blessings of the Seer, after the Soraba Court acquitted him of rape charges, Halappa said that now that he has come clean, he would seek the party ticket for the 2018 Assembly polls.

Referring to the FIR registered against State BJP Chief B.S. Yeddyurappa for alleged land de-notification in Bengaluru’s Shivarama Karanth Layout, Halappa said that the cases were politically motivated and the BJP will give a fitting reply to the Congress for its misdeeds.