Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday questioned the state BJP’s decision to include ousted leader Basanagoda Patil Yatnal in the Bagalkot Assembly by-election campaign.
“Once the BJP realized that it was going to lose the elections, it brought back those it had expelled. On the one hand, the BJP expels him (Yatnal); on the other hand, it brings him back, praises him and makes him campaign. Isn’t this a double standard?” He told reporters, adding that the move indicates a “weak position” of the party.
Yatnal, who was expelled after making allegations of dynastic politics and corruption against senior BJP figures including former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and his sons – MP PY Raghavendra and state party chief PY Vijayendra – was present along with senior leaders at several key campaign events in the constituency, including a meeting in Vidyagiri attended by Murugesh Nirani, CC Patel and Karnataka Lingayat Education Association councillor, Prabhakar. Kaur, as the BJP tries to shore up support among the Lingayat community, a crucial electoral bloc, with a population of about 80,000 in the constituency.
Meanwhile, Yatnal confirmed his participation in the election campaign in Bagalkot and reiterated his ideological alliance with the party.
“Even though I was expelled from the BJP, I remain a committed worker and supporter of Hindutva ideology. I may be upset with a few leaders, but not with the party’s ideology. I am not someone who holds grudge in my heart because of my expulsion. I will not blackmail the party or seek revenge. I will always remain a supporter of Hindutva. Secondly, Charantimath is my close friend. Thirdly, the common workers of Bagalkot are in the BJP. They wanted me to join the BJP,” he said. To the campaign and I am here.”
“I have become an MLA on a BJP ticket and I will not betray this party,” he added.
He also indicated that he might return to the BJP before the 2028 elections. “The truth is that every BJP worker wants the leadership to bring me back,” he said, adding that the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) could form the government in 2028.
Yatnal said he would not campaign in Davangere South, citing the lack of invitation. “I am not a person with a big ego who waits for invitations from senior leaders. I will join the campaign even if ordinary workers invite me. But if I am not invited, I will not go,” he said.
Responding to questions, Vijayendra on Friday said that any support that benefits the party’s candidate is welcome. “If this increases Veerana Charantimath’s lead, it is welcome,” he said, adding that the BJP is confident of winning the seat.
In a separate development, Siddaramaiah rejected the BJP’s claims that the state budget favors minorities. He said, “Do you know what percentage they constitute? More than 14%, and in our budget we have provided for everyone, including them.”
