Condemning Yatnal’s use of language, Minister asks him to exercise restraint

Minister M.B. Patil has strongly condemned the abusive words used by Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and asked him to exercise restraint while speaking about him.

“Mr. Yatnal used some abusive words against me yesterday. These words are obviously insulting and definitely not acceptable. I am asking him to exercise restraint while speaking about me. I will not tolerate this. If he continues making such comments, he will face appropriate legal action,’’ the Minister told reporters in Vijayapura on Monday.

Mr. Patil denied Mr. Yatnal’s charge that some of his supporters are members of the land mafia.

“These words are false and baseless. Neither am I involved in any illegalities nor do I entertain anyone who is controversial. If Mr. Yatnal reveals the names of any of my follower who is indulging in illegal transactions, I will order inquiries and ensure proper legal action,” he said.

Mr. Patil also denied Mr. Yatnal’s allegation that Mr. Patil has purchased farmland in violation of rules. “A few years ago, I purchased around 135 acres land in Makanapur village. If Mr. Yatnal proves any illegality, I will donate it to him,” Mr. Patil said.

“Mr. Yatnal has threatened to hold a mega rally of heads of Lingayat maths, against me in Vijayapura. I welcome it. I will hold a bigger rally in response. It is well known that Mr. Yatnal gets BJP and RSS voters to attend the rally. But then, my support base is bigger with Basava Sene, AHINDA and Bheem Army,” Mr. Patil said.

To a query, Mr. Patil said that he will gracefully welcome Kaneri Math seer Sri Adrushya Kadasiddeshwar Swami if he apologises for using abusive words against Lingayat seers. “Apart from that, I have no problems with the seer,” he said.

He criticised Mr. Yatnal’s claim of being a Hindutva leader as opportunistic. “When he was in another party, Mr. Yatnal attended Muslim prayers alongside me in the Idgah Maidan. He has also attended Mate Mahadevi’s Basava Dharma rally and said he supported the cause. And, now, he is claiming to be a Hindutva tiger. His choice of ideologies is based on chances of getting votes and political power. Unlike him, I am committed to Basava ideology,” Mr. Patil said.