Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, March 31: After being expelled from the BJP for six years, MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal met Dharwad Rural Congress district president Anil Kumar at a private hotel in Dharwad on Monday. The two reportedly held talks lasting nearly two hours. However, a senior Congress leader swiftly dismissed any connection between the expelled BJP leader and the Congress party.
Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil was questioned about the possibility of Yatnal joining the Congress. Patil firmly rejected the notion, stating, “MLA Yatnal has not submitted any application to us, and it is not appropriate for me to comment on the matter.”
He further added, “Even if he were to apply for membership, he would not be welcome in the Congress, as he has previously targeted and humiliated a particular community according to his whims and fancies.”
Patil continued, “Yatnal has made derogatory remarks in the past, which makes it difficult to even consider his application. However, the final decision lies with State Congress president D K Shivakumar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and the party high command. But as things stand, the question does not arise, as Yatnal has not applied for membership.”
Meanwhile, Yatnal has not held back from continuing his scathing attacks on BJP State president B Y Vijayendra, and his father, former chief minister B S Yediyurappa.
Yatnal's supporters have been holding meetings and have resolved to appeal to the BJP high command to revoke his suspension. Yatnal has also suggested that he may launch a new political party in the future.
Senior BJP leader and Raitha Morcha president A S Patil Nadahalli, sharply criticised Yatnal, referring to him as a "mouse."
Speaking to the media at the BJP office in Bengaluru on Monday, Nadahalli stated that Yatnal was a "media-created phenomenon."
“When he was expelled, barely 2,000 to 3,000 people protested. Only two office-bearers from Vijayapura district resigned in his support. No one took to the streets. He calls himself the ‘lion of Hindus,’ but this is a creation of the media. Now, in his current situation, he must decide whether he is truly a lion or just a mouse,” Nadahalli remarked sarcastically.
Nadahalli also questioned Yatnal’s political strength, noting, “In his own constituency, he failed to secure a lead for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. How can he think of starting a new party?”
“Instead of engaging in such discussions, let’s focus on new projects and plans for the new year. We are committed to strengthening the party based on Hindutva principles. In the next election, under Vijayendra's leadership, the BJP will secure a majority,” he asserted.
Nadahalli further stated that the people would punish Yatnal for his sharp criticism of Vijayendra and Yediyurappa.
“In 2023, seven of us from Vijayapura district lost, but Yatnal managed to win in the Assembly polls. For the Lok Sabha elections, a meeting was held where all leaders participated, except Yatnal. Yet, we defeated candidates who ensured the victory of former CM Basavaraj Bommai,” he pointed out.
“However, in Yatnal’s constituency, Congress secured a lead of 10,000 votes. We will request Vijayendra to convene a mega convention in Vijayapura, and we are confident of winning the local body elections. Yatnal’s tactics of issuing threats will not work,” Nadahalli concluded.