Hubballi: A long time confidante of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Hullappa Yamanappa Meti, 71, created a record of sorts by winning on a Congress ticket from Bagalkote in the last assembly elections as the party had never won the constituency in the previous three-and-half decades. But unfortunately for him, his luck ran out in just four months after being sworn-in minister with a sex scandal forcing his exit.
Beginning his political career as a member and later president of the Bilkerur Gram Panchayat in Bagalkote district, Mr Meti who belongs to the Kuruba community like the Chief Minister, has been associated with him since his days in the Janata parivar. In fact, it was thanks to Mr Siddaramaiah that he got the ticket to contest from the Guledgudd constituency dominated by the Kurubas and went on to win from it in 1989. And when his mentor fell out with Janata Dal (S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and was shown the door, he too exited the party and joined the Congress with him in 2008.
The four time legislator also represented the Bagalkote Lok Sabha constituency for 13 months when Mr Deve Gowda was Prime Minister, but was deprived of a ministerial berth in the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in 2004.
In his latest avatar as minister, he replaced senior minister, S R Patil in the Siddaramaiah government only to face an ignominious exit a few months later.
While supporters of Mr Meti turned their ire on the media in Bagalkote following the release of the sex video footage that led to his resignation as minister on Wednesday, BJP workers burnt his effigy and raised slogans against the Siddaramaiah government, demanding action against him.
"Several women have been sexually harassed by Meti. The government should take action against him instead of merely dropping him from the Cabinet," said Bagalkot district BJP president, Siddu Savadi.
Meanwhile, home minister and KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwar told reporters that the state government was not aware of the existence of the alleged CD. "With the CM ordering a CID probe, the truth will come out. We will consult party central leaders before taking any further action."
He added that the party will soon convene its office bearers’ meeting to decide about Mr Meti's future. "Yes it is certainly embarrassing for the party. We will take a decision after consulting party leaders and office bearers," he said.
