Bengaluru, Sep 23 Congress MLA Yeshwanthrayagouda Patil has sent his resignation to Karnataka Assembly Speaker G S Patil citing the state government’s failure to declare his Indi constituency in Vijayapura district as drought-hit despite repeated representations.
Stating that he is unable to respond to the hopes and aspirations of his constituency’s people, he alleged that in the present political environment, importance is given to influential people and those who employ pressure tactics.
The issue also made noise in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, as the opposition used the resignation to corner the government, alleging that its handling of the drought situation was so miserable that even ruling party legislators are upset and are now resigning.
The Speaker, however, told the Assembly that he had not accepted the resignation because it did not follow the rules.
“Indi taluk in Vijayapura district, which I represent, has been severely affected by drought during the 2026-27 kharif season. As there was some rainfall at the beginning of the season, farmers borrowed money and purchased seeds and fertilisers and sowed their crops. However, due to the failure of timely rains, the crops have withered, and there is also a shortage of drinking water for people and livestock,” Patil said in a letter to the Speaker dated September 22.
He said he had submitted a representation to the chief minister and deputy chief minister on August 28, requesting that Indi taluk be declared drought-hit.
“However, out of the 13 taluks in Vijayapura district, 11 have been declared drought-hit so far, leaving out only Indi and Chadachan taluks. Across the state, 188 taluks have been declared drought-hit so far,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that the number of drought-hit taluks would touch 177 and might reach 200 in the coming days.
In the first phase, the state declared 101 taluks as drought-hit, and 23 were added after continued assessment. Recently, 53 more were included in the list, he said.
Noting that, as a legislator from the ruling party, he had made several representations in a restrained manner, keeping in mind that the government should not face embarrassment, Patil said, “However, it has now come to feel that my views and sentiments are not being given due consideration.
In the present political environment, importance is being given to influential people and those who employ pressure tactics, while people like us who have a gentle and moderate approach are not receiving consideration for even legitimate demands.”
“Therefore, as I am unable to respond to the hopes and aspirations of the people of my constituency, I am voluntarily resigning from the post of MLA,” he added.
Unhappy over being excluded during the expansion of D K Shivakumar-led Cabinet, Patil had earlier resigned from his legislative post on August 3. He, however, withdrew it subsequently on being persuaded by the party leadership.
Recently, Gadag MLA and former Minister H K Patil, too had threatened to resign if his taluk was not declared drought-hit. However, Gadag was subsequently added to the list.
In the Assembly, while reading Patil’s resignation letter, Leader of opposition R Ashoka said, “This is the certificate given by your MLAs regarding your drought management. This government should be ashamed.”
“Is this government even alive? Its own MLAs are threatening and are resigning,” he said, leading to heated arguments between the opposition and treasury benches.
BJP MLA Sunil Kumar pointed out that Patil’s resignation was dated September 22 and said the Speaker should have informed the House about his decision on the matter.
Parameshwara blamed the BJP-led government at the Centre for restricting the state’s ability to declare drought-hit taluks. “We have written 10 letters to the Centre seeking relaxation in the drought manual,” he said.
Necessary measures are being taken to address the drought situation across the state, and the government remains committed to responding to the distress faced by farmers and the public, he said.
He urged the union government to take Karnataka’s actual conditions into account and extend the necessary support.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Patil’s move to resign was for the sake of farmers’ welfare, and clarified that his government is not discriminating against constituencies on any lines, including the party lines. “I can’t decide on declaring drought taluks. There are parameters for it from the Centre.”
“Patil reacted emotionally. He also approached the Speaker, who advised him to speak to the chief minister. I spoke to him, pacified him and then came here. He is also under pressure. He has to answer the people of his constituency, doesn’t he? There is nothing wrong with him becoming emotional,” the CM said.
“The opposition need not panic over Patil’s resignation. Even if you, as opposition members, resign emotionally, we will not accept your resignations in haste. The people have elected you for five years. You should remain here and work as their voice. I am the CM for all 224 constituencies, and this is a government for all 224 constituencies. Therefore, discuss the drought issue freely,” Shivakumar said.
As Ashoka, Kumar and other BJP MLAs urged the Chair to inform the House about his decision on Patil’s resignation, citing rules, the Speaker announced that he had not accepted the resignation as it was not as per rules.
(PTI News)
