Yashwanthrayagowda Patil’s resignation not political, says CM

Bengaluru, Sept 23 : Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said Congress MLA Yashwanthrayagowda Patil’s decision to resign was driven by concern over the plight of farmers in his constituency and should not be compared with the “15 resignations” referred to by former minister K S Eshwarappa.

Responding in the Legislative Assembly after Opposition members displayed a copy of Patil’s resignation letter during the debate on the drought situation, Shivakumar said there was no reason for the Opposition to panic over the issue.

“Yashwanthrayagowda Patil is not resigning for any other reason. He has come forward to resign for the sake of farmers’ lives. This is not the kind of resignation Eshwarappa spoke about — resignations given and taken for political purposes,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Patil had been facing pressure from people in his constituency over drought and crop losses and that there was nothing wrong with an elected representative becoming emotional over the difficulties faced by his constituents.

“He has to answer the people of his constituency. There is nothing wrong if he becomes emotional,” Shivakumar said.

He said he had spoken to Patil and tried to persuade him against resigning before returning to the House.

“Patil came to the Speaker and was advised to speak to the Chief Minister. I spoke to him, convinced him and then came here,” he said.

Shivakumar said farmers across Karnataka had borrowed money and invested in crops and that relief measures were necessary. He maintained that the government was treating all constituencies equally in dealing with the drought situation.

“All 224 constituencies are equal for us. We are not adopting a partisan approach on drought,” he said.

The Chief Minister said drought could be declared only after assessing prescribed parameters, including rainfall deficiency, and could not be done merely on the request of an MLA or the Speaker.

“There are guidelines. There has to be a certain rainfall deficiency and prescribed conditions. Several MLAs have submitted representations seeking inclusion of their taluks in the drought list. I have not personally included any constituency. I have entrusted the responsibility to G Parameshwara,” he said.

Shivakumar also said the government had attempted cloud seeding amid pressure from various quarters, though the results had varied across different areas.

“When there is such pressure on senior leaders like H K Patil, there is nothing wrong in our Yashwanthrayagowda Patil becoming upset,” he said.

He said the Assembly session was being held to provide legislators an opportunity to raise issues concerning the drought situation in their respective constituencies.

“The Opposition did not allow a discussion on drought in the previous session because of political considerations. This session is being held so that all legislators can discuss the situation in their constituencies,” he said.

Shivakumar also made it clear that he would not hastily accept an MLA’s resignation merely because of political or emotional pressure.

“You were elected by the people for five years. You must remain here and work as their voice. I am the Chief Minister of all 224 constituencies and this is a government for all 224 constituencies. So discuss the drought issue openly,” he said.