A.H. Vishwanath, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, announced on Thursday that he will not participate in future electoral politics due to the exorbitant costs associated with running for office, which he claims can reach ₹50 crore (approximately $6 million USD). Reflecting on his earlier political career, he recalled that his first election campaign cost only ₹45,000, with significant contributions from former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs and small donations from the public. Vishwanath criticized the current political landscape, suggesting that only wealthy individuals, particularly real estate developers, can afford to contest elections today. He also expressed skepticism about the Congress party's commitment to social justice, questioning its internal reservation policies. Despite stepping back from electoral contests, he affirmed that he does not intend to retire from politics entirely and dismissed the notion of his children pursuing political careers. He emphasized that political affiliation is less important than having a clear agenda.