Yatnal Sets Conditions for Return, Seeks CM Assurance from BJP

Belagavi: Bijapur City MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, who was expelled from BJP a few months ago, on Friday claimed that a few BJP legislators had approached him recently, urging him to return to the party. Stating that he would rejoin only with a clear assurance of being projected for the CM post, Yatnal also said that a delegation of Lok Sabha MPs from Karnataka is likely to meet party high command to discuss this.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Yatnal revealed that some BJP leaders met him at the office of Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka and expressed concern over what they described as the “poor state of the party” owing to an “understanding” with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

“They told me that the party is weakened and that I enjoy strong support, so I should return. I told them to speak to Amit Shah. If they want an asset, they will have to convince him,” he said.

Yatnal further claimed that, barring Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, all BJP Lok Sabha members from Karnataka are expected to meet the Prime Minister and the Home Minister soon to speak about this. “This is what I was told,” he said.

Making his terms clear, Yatnal declared that he would return to the BJP only if he is entrusted with a key leadership role.

“I will go only if I am made party president or Leader of the Opposition now, and later the Chief Minister when the party comes to power. Should I return just to be an MLA or Waqf Minister?” he asked.

“Give me five years as CM and see. I am certain I will become CM. If they do not take me back, I will still become CM, from the JCB Party,” he remarked.

Yatnal also reiterated his earlier allegations that BJP state president BY Vijayendra and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had, at one stage, explored the possibility of forming a government together an effort that he said was emphatically rejected by the BJP high command.

Few months ago Yatnal had stated that the supposed plan involved making Shivakumar the Chief Minister and Vijayendra the Deputy Chief Minister.

“Vijayendra and Shivakumar had met in Delhi. Vijayendra wanted to become DCM. But it did not materialise because Amit Shah gave a clear no. Recently Pralhad Joshi also stated that there is no question of supporting any faction of Congress to form a government. That statement was issued as per Amit Shah’s direction,” he said.

Yatnal added that following the red signal from the party’s top leadership, there have been no further attempts at such manoeuvring.

He further claimed that his expulsion was engineered because the alleged ‘joint party operation’ (between Vijayendra and DK Shivakumar) could not proceed smoothly in his presence.