B.P. Yatnal, expelled BJP leader, begins campaign for BJP nominee in Bagalkot

Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, expelled BJP leader, began his campaign for Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, BJP nominee for the Bagalkot bypoll, on Thursday (April 2).

He travelled through villages in an open campaign van along with BJP leaders, including Pratap Simha. He did not criticise Umesh Meti, the Congress candidate. Instead, he trained his guns on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Vijayanand Kashappanavar, Congress MLA and fellow Panchamasali Lingayat leader.

In Bagalkot old city, he alleged that the Congress is following minority appeasement policies. “There is nothing in the State Budget for SC/STs, Kurubas, and other backward classes,” he said, adding that Mr. Siddaramaiah’s Budget earmarked funds for Muslim welfare. “It promises money to roadside vendors from the Muslim community and for self-defence training of Muslim girls. I asked Mr. Siddaramaiah if other communities had not voted for him. The Congress toned down these provisions after I protested,’’ he claimed.

“Does the Budget give money to Muslims to make bombs in madrassas?’’ he asked, in an apparent violation of the Model Code of Conduct rules. “In 2028, we will get a Janatha Chaluvali Bharatha (JCB) party government. If there is stone-pelting from inside the mosque, it will be demolished. A JCB worker will be stationed in front of every police station. Action will be direct and swift,’’ he said.

He said there can be no fraternity between Hindus and Muslims as they subscribe to two distinct ideologies. He claimed that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had said that the last Muslim should go to Pakistan and the last Hindu should come to India from Pakistan.

On IPL ticket demands

He criticised Kashappanavar Vijayananda Shivashankarappa, Congress MLA, for reportedly demanding IPL tickets for family members of MLAs. “Have you sent him to the Assembly to get free tickets to IPL matches or to develop the district?” he asked the gathering, adding that the MLA, who claims to be a Panchamasali Lingayat leader, has done nothing for the advancement of the community.

He also accused the MLA of minority appeasement. “He had demanded public celebrations for Tipu Jayanti, but backed off after pressure from the Chief Minister and other party leaders,’’ Mr. Yatnal said, adding that the MLA also did not condemn the stone-pelting on the Shivaji Jayanti procession in Bagalkot.

He said that the Congress government had failed in developing the State. “Its leaders are talking only about the success of the guarantees. But in reality, the guarantees have failed. If I become the Chief Minister, I will double the amount paid to women under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme,’’ he said.

Mr. Yatnal further noted that it is true that Mr. Charantimath is short-tempered and did not come across as a warm and friendly leader. He added, “I have asked him to change his attitude, which he will do from today. He needs your support to develop the district.”