Karnataka Congress MLA representing Indi constituency, Yashavanta Rayagoud V Patil, resigned from the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, in protest over denying his constituency a drought-hit status. Out of the 13 taluks in Vijayapura district, Indi and Chadchan taluks, have been excluded from the state’s list of drought-hit areas.
Patil submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker Gurupadagouda Sanganagouda Patil in Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters, Patil said he was upset with the Karnataka government for failing to declare Indi and Chadchan drought-hit despite repeated appeals.
In a letter to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on August 28, Patil had sought drought-hit status for the two taluks. He had pointed out that 11 of Vijayapura district’s 13 taluks had been declared drought-affected, while Indi and Chadchan were excluded.
“I am a ruling party MLA and have made several requests to our government in a sensitive manner so that it does not cause embarrassment. But our words and feelings are not being valued,” Patil wrote.
He also alleged that political pressure was influencing whose demands received attention.
“In today’s political situation, those who are strong and exert pressure are getting recognition, while people like us, who are mild-natured, are not getting recognition for any work,” he said.
Patil said he was unable to do justice to the voters who elected him and was therefore voluntarily resigning as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
This is the second time Patil has resigned from the Assembly this year. Earlier, he had resigned after being left out of the state Cabinet. He later withdrew his resignation, saying he would continue serving his constituency as an MLA.