Vijayapura: Despite strong opposition from his own party leaders, sitting MLA Basanagowda Patil Yatnal has managed to get BJP ticket in this election as well.
In the first list of candidates released by the BJP High Command on Tuesday April 11, Yatnal’s name appeared in the name of three candidates, including sitting MLA A. S. Patil Nadahalli from Muddebihal, Ramesh Bhusanur from Sindagi and BJP Leader Vijugowda Patil from Babaleshwar.
Former MLA Appu Pattanashetty strongly lobbied by the BJP faction for a ticket along with the leaders of the Banajiga Community to which Pattanashetty belongs were putting pressure on the BJP high command to give the ticket to Pattanashetty.
Despite the pressure, Yatnal managed to get the ticket again. In the last assembly elections in 2018 he had faced similar resistance from BJP leaders.
The BJP leaders of the District alleged that Yatnal is acting like a dictator without taking the leaders into confidence. They alleged that he only groomed his supporters and not the party workers.
What is surprising is that this time Yatnal has created more enemies within the BJP by openly attacking the BJP. Industries Minister Muragesh Nirani and Former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra were criticised.
By getting the ticket, Yatnal has clearly proved that he has strong connections in the High Command, and no local resistance will threaten his future.
At the same time, Pattanashetty, who was a victim of Yatnal, expressed his displeasure over the denial of tickets and said that the party has not thought of giving tickets to those who have been loyal for decades. Yatnal, who was expelled from the party earlier, was given a ticket again but not to me, who was not involved in anti-party activities. He accused of neglecting the Banajiga community by not giving tickets to the Banajiga leaders in Vijayapura and the neighboring Bagalakote District.
Answering the question about the next political move in the wake of the ticket rejection, Pattanashetty said that he will discuss with the supporters and announce the decision in a couple of days.
