Belagavi, Dec 22: BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Thursday warned Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai that he will go down in the political history of Karnataka as the last BJP chief minister if he does not announce reservation for Panchamasalis under 2A category.
Speaking to reporters after calling on the Seer Jayamruthyanjaya Swami ji at Hirebagevadi, Yatnal said it has been over two years that the demand is being made but no “concrete and meaningful” has been taken to fulfill our demand. “It is not politically and electorally wise to antagonize a powerful segment of the Lingayaths such as Panchamsalis,” Yatnal added.
Without mincing words Yatnal said, “You (Bommai) will go down in the history of Karnataka as the last BJP chief minister if you do not announce reservation for Panchamsali sect under 2A category. Think over. Do not test our patience. Otherwise, it will prove costly for the party”
The Seer of the Panchamasali sect Jaya Mruthyanjaya Swamy and scores of leaders are sitting on dharna at Hirebagewadi in Belagavi demanding that their sect be provided reserevation under 2A category.
When Yatnal’s attention was drawn towards Bommai’s statement that the government has obtained interim report on the issue, Yatnal shot back, “Our demand is for the last two years. What is the meaning of obtaining interim report. Is it not an attempt to buy time? We do not accept anything short of categorical government order providing for reservation. There is no half way now. Our patience is running out”.
It may be recalled that Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamy and hundreds of members had undertaken padayatra from Koodala Sangama to Bangalore in support of their demand about two years ago.
However, the BJP government is in a fix. If it agrees to the demand, then it has to agree to the demand of the Vokkaligas also who are also demanding reservation. On the other hand, the Backward Classes have warned that any attempt to reduce their quota of reservation will lead to adverse consequences.
#BJP MLA #Basanagouda Patil Yatnal #Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai #political history #last BJP chief minister #reservation #Panchamasalis #2A category #Seer Jayamruthyanjaya Swami ji
