Vijayapura district's Indi taluk was officially included in Karnataka's 'ground-truthing' list of drought-affected areas on Thursday, a direct response to the protest resignation submitted by local Congress MLA Yashwantharayagowda Patil the previous day. This governmental action follows intense pressure and a political stir within the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
MLA Patil, representing Indi, tendered his resignation to Assembly Speaker G.S. Patil on Wednesday. He also informed Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of his decision, citing the persistent exclusion of Indi and Chadachan taluks from the state's drought-hit declarations. Expressing his disappointment, Patil highlighted that while twelve other taluks in Vijayapura district had received the drought designation, his two constituencies remained overlooked despite repeated requests.
Patil conveyed his concerns directly to Chief Minister Shivakumar, who assured him of rectification. "Ours is the last taluk, yet it has not been declared drought-hit. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has understood my concern, and I am confident that he will rectify the issue," Patil stated. He emphasized the unfair treatment he perceived, especially given the agricultural distress in his area.
The MLA's resignation triggered a significant political uproar in the Assembly. Opposition BJP members, including former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and R. Ashoka, demanded immediate clarification from the Speaker regarding the status of Patil's resignation. Ashoka, speaking as Leader of Opposition, questioned the government's stance, recalling Shivakumar's earlier commitment to accept legislator resignations. "If you have the courage, accept the resignation," Ashoka challenged.
Responding to the Opposition, Chief Minister Shivakumar urged the BJP not to panic, clarifying that Patil's resignation stemmed from concerns for his constituents' livelihoods amidst the drought. He explained the established guidelines for drought declaration, stating the government could not act arbitrarily. Speaker G.S. Patil later confirmed that Yashwantharayagowda Patil's resignation had not been accepted, as it did not comply with prescribed rules. This recent episode marks a pattern for Patil, who had previously expressed dissatisfaction over being denied a ministerial berth and had withdrawn an earlier resignation following interventions from CM Shivakumar and senior Congress leaders.
Image: mangalorean.com
đź“° Source: Mangalorean News