Minister resigns from Karnataka Assembly, challenges Basanagouda Patil Yatnal to do the same

Sugar, Textiles, and Agricultural Marketing Minister Shivanand Patil on Friday resigned from the membership of the Legislative Assembly, accepting a challenge from expelled BJP MLA and former Union Minister Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal. However, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader rejected the resignation letter on the grounds that it was not submitted in the correct format.

Mr. Patil submitted the resignation letter to Mr. Khader with a rider. In his letter, Mr. Patil, who represents Basavana Bagevadi constituency in Vijayapura district, requested Mr. Khader to accept his resignation only if Mr. Yatnal too resigns from the membership of the Assembly and his resignation was accepted. Mr. Yatnal represents Vijayapura City Assembly constituency.

Mr. Patil’s resignation follows a recent protest held in Vijayapura city against Mr. Yatnal for his alleged derogatory remarks against Muslims.