Yatnal vows to continue fight against BSY and Vijayendra

BJP rebel Basangouda R. Patil Yatnal vows to fight against nepotism and adjustment politics, despite party expulsion.

BJP rebel leader and MLA Basangouda R. Patil Yatnal, who has been expelled from the party for six years, on Saturday continued his tirade against former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and his son and party State president B.Y. Vijayendra and vowed to continue his fight against “dynastic and adjustment politics”.

An aggressive Mr. Yatnal told presspersons in Bengaluru, before leaving for his home town, Vijayapura, “I will not beg anyone to take me back to the party. I have not made any mistake but only stood by the party’s principles. I will not stop my fight against nepotism or adjustment politics. I will travel across Karnataka and work for the core principles of the BJP.” His supporters on Friday held a meeting in Bengaluru and resolved to appeal to the high command to reconsider Mr. Yatnal’s expulsion.

Mr. Yatnal, who was expelled over repeated violations of party discipline and failure to adhere to previous warnings, insisted that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a good leader, “decisions are being made at lower levels that are damaging the party in Karnataka”. He exuded confidence that the party would take him back, realising this.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vijayendra said that neither he nor his father had a role in the expulsion of Mr. Yatnal. He said as the president he had been very patient, put up with even insults, and attempted to resolve differences in the interest of the party. Two notices had been issued to Mr. Yatnal from the disciplinary committee and adequate time was given, he said.

“The central leadership had been observing the situation for a long time and ultimately decided on disciplinary action. I have no role in it, but as the president, I abide by the decision,” he said. His responsibility, Mr. Vijayendra added, was to bring the party to power in Karnataka.