Karnataka Minister M.B. Patil has issued a stern warning to Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, strongly condemning his recent abusive remarks and demanding immediate restraint in his public discourse.
Speaking to reporters in Vijayapura, Minister Patil declared, “Mr. Yatnal’s abusive words are deeply insulting and entirely unacceptable. I urge him to exercise caution when speaking about me. Such comments will not be tolerated, and if they continue, he will face appropriate legal action.”
The Minister also refuted Yatnal’s accusations that some of his supporters are involved in land mafia activities. “These claims are utterly false and baseless,” Patil asserted. “I am not involved in any illegalities, nor do I associate with controversial individuals. Should Mr. Yatnal provide names of any followers engaged in illicit transactions, I assure thorough inquiries and swift legal action.”
Furthermore, Patil dismissed Yatnal’s allegation that he illegally acquired farmland. “A few years ago, I legally purchased approximately 135 acres of land in Makanapur village. If Mr. Yatnal can prove any illegality in this transaction, I am prepared to donate the land to him,” Patil challenged.
Addressing Yatnal’s threat to organize a large rally of Lingayat math heads against him in Vijayapura, Minister Patil stated, “I welcome this challenge. In response, I will organize an even larger rally. It is well-known that Mr. Yatnal’s rallies typically draw BJP and RSS voters. However, my support base extends much wider, encompassing Basava Sene, AHINDA, and Bheem Army.”
When questioned about the Kaneri Math seer, Sri Adrushya Kadasiddeshwar Swami, Patil remarked that he would “gracefully welcome” the seer if he offered an apology for previous abusive comments made against Lingayat seers, clarifying that “apart from that, I have no issues with the seer.”
Patil concluded by criticizing Yatnal’s self-proclaimed status as a Hindutva leader, labeling it as opportunistic. He recounted, “While in another party, Mr. Yatnal attended Muslim prayers alongside me at the Idgah Maidan. He also participated in Mate Mahadevi’s Basava Dharma rally, publicly expressing support for its cause. Now, he portrays himself as a ‘Hindutva tiger.’ His ideological stances seem solely driven by electoral gains and political power. Unlike him, my commitment is unwavering to the Basava ideology.”