Minister takes exception to Yatnal ‘ridiculing’ Samyukta Patil

Minister Shivanand Patil has taken exception to Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for ridiculing his daughter Samyukta Patil’s style of campaigning for the party candidate in the bypolls.

“If Mr. Yatnal, who has been expelled from the BJP, has anything against me, let him say it to my face. Let him come and fight with me. But he should not try to ridicule or insult my daughter [Samyukta Patil]. She is working hard in favour of Congress candidate Umesh Meti in the Bagalkot Assembly Constituency. She is touring the constituency with local leaders and with women leaders of the party. It is unfair that she is being targeted,” he told reporters in Bagalkot on Saturday.

“Mr. Yatnal has come to Bagalkot to campaign for BJP nominee Viranna Charantimath. But he is dragging me and my daughter into his campaign speeches, unnecessarily. The language he is using against me and my family, some communities, including minorities, is not only illegal but also immoral and opposed to the spirit of the Constitution. But then, in his enthusiasm, Mr. Yatnal has not realised that his approach may do more harm. That is what happened in Sandur and Shiggaon, where Mr. Yatnal campaigned for BJP nominees. The hatred being used relentlessly by Mr. Yatnal during his speeches may, in fact, lead to reduction of votes for Mr. Charantimath. I would like to request Mr. Charantimath to be wary of such people,” Mr. Patil said.

“It seems to me that Mr. Yatnal has developed the habit of using abusive language and hate speech due to the publicity they gets him. I am not here to comment on the media but I feel media leaders should introspect about it. Despite the various insults heaped upon the media by Mr. Yatnal, he gets disproportionate publicity. This is a matter of serious concern,” he said.

“Mr. Yatnal keeps changing sides. At one time, he was a great supporter of B.S. Yediyurappa and was upset that he had suffered a bad deal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leader Amit Shah. Then, Mr. Yatnal publicly criticised and insulted Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah. Now, he is an opponent of Mr. Yediyurappa’s. You never know which way he will turn,” he said.

Mr. Patil said that he has already filed a defamation case against Mr. Yatnal in court. “The case is before court. I am confident that I will get justice,” he said.

To a query, Mr. Patil said that he will accept the challenge thrown by Mr. Yatnal to face him in a constituency of his choice.

“Mr. Yatnal is a self-styled future Chief Minister of Karnataka. He should be able to fight elections from any seat. If he so wishes, I will face him either in my seat of Bagewadi or his seat of Vijayapura or any other seat,” Mr. Patil said.