BENGALURU/KALABURAGI: Senior Congress MLA B R Patil created quite a flutter in Karnataka’s political circles on Saturday as he resigned from his position as chief minister Siddaramaiah political adviser. His sudden exit comes at a time when internal dissensions within Congress over clamour for changes in the party’s state leadership have intensified.
“I have already submitted my resignation to CM Siddaramaiah,” Patil announced, adding: “I will continue to work as an MLA. I don’t need any post.”
Patil, who has been a legislator since 1983, is the only MLA in the current assembly who consistently wears the Gandhi cap. Known for his outspoken nature, he had previously opposed govt’s proposal to grant new liquor shop licences, and was quite vocal about his dissatisfaction with certain other govt policies and decisions.
Sources said he was unhappy with current scenario within Congress state unit, although Patil refrained from citing any specific reason for his resignation.
His resignation has reignited discontent among senior party legislators who were overlooked for ministerial positions after Siddaramaiah govt took office in May 2023. In fact, to placate some of these disgruntled elements, govt had last year assigned special roles to them: Basavaraj Rayareddy was appointed as CM’s economic adviser, Patil as political adviser, and RV Deshpande as the chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission.
Despite holding an advisory position, Patil had time and again expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s functioning.
The MLA from Aland in Kalaburagi had even written to Congress state leadership about his concerns.
A long-time Siddaramaiah loyalist, Patil had aspired for a ministerial berth, but reportedly faced resistance from Priyank and Sharanprakash Patil from within Kalaburagi district.
As a compromise, he was appointed as the CM’s adviser with a cabinet rank. However, disillusioned with district politics and factionalism, he finally decided to step down.
