BELGAVI: In a dramatic political move, Minister for Sugar, Sugarcane Development and Agricultural Marketing Shivanand Patil resigned from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Friday, boldly accepting a provocative challenge from Vijayapura MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal to face off in a by-election.
The resignation came after an escalating war of words between the two leaders. Yatnal, known for his fiery rhetoric, had launched a personal attack on Patil and Hunagund MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar three days ago, reportedly challenging them to resign and contest a bypoll against him.
Yatnal had further stirred controversy by alleging that Shivanand Patil had changed his surname from 'Hachdadh' to 'Patil' for electoral gain. “If Patil has guts, he should resign as MLA of Basavanabagewadi constituency. I too will resign as MLA and both will contest the election to the assembly from the same Basavanabagewadi constituency,” Yatnal had said.
He went a step further, challenging both Patil and Kashappanavar in crude terms: the duo should resign before Friday, “if the two leaders were born to their fathers” and face him in an electoral contest.
Responding to the taunts, Patil submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Friday, stating he is prepared to contest against Yatnal from Basavanabagewadi once again.
A four-time MLA from the same constituency, Patil previously won elections in 2004, 2013, 2018, and 2023. Sources close to the minister said he is confident of defeating Yatnal by a large margin.
Meanwhile, Patil's supporters are watching closely to see whether Yatnal will keep his word and also resign to make the by-election a reality.