Bengaluru: BJP MLA and former minister Anand Singh, who had tendered his resignation letter to Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa last week, withdrew it on Monday. It’s learnt that few senior leaders of the party convinced the MLA to not take any hasty steps.

Earlier, the 49-year-old legislator from Vijayanagar in Ballari district dispatched resignation letter to the speaker, citing personal reason. “I am unable to focus on my constituency and do justice to the people, as I had to frequent the court for hearings in the cases against me”, he had reportedly told press persons.

The MLA was recently arrested by the special investigation team led by IGP Charan Reddy on the charges of illegally transporting iron ore. It was his second arrest in connection with illegal mining. Earlier, the CBI had arrested Singh in November 2013 on the charges of illegally exporting iron ore from Belekeri port in Uttara Kannada district. He was recently released on bail.

Meanwhile, the Speaker Thimmappa had stated that he can accept Singh’s resignation letter only if he submitted it in person. On Monday, senior BJP leaders, including Pralhad Joshi and Jagadish Shettar, convinced Singh to withdraw his resignation.