Cold war between Yatnal and Pattanshetty intensifies

Cold war is intensely brewing between former Minister and BJP leader Appu Pattanshetty and his staunch political rival Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, MLC.

The intensity has only risen after Mr. Yatnal proposed to rejoin the BJP, the party from which he was sacked during the previous MLC election. Mr. Yatnal had sought ticket from BJP to contest MLC election, but the party refused to acknowledge, following which he had contested as rebel candidate. Though he won the election, the party sacked him for anti-party activities.

Later, Mr. Yatnal began every effort to get back into the party and seek ticket from Vijayapura city, where he lost on JD(S) ticket in the last Assembly polls. His efforts to rejoin the BJP did not go well with many party leaders, including Ramesh Jigajinagi, MP, Arun Shahapur, MLC, and more importantly Mr. Pattanshetty.

Mr. Pattanshetty, who is a two-time MLA for Vijayapura city, is now making efforts to get party ticket, but Mr. Yatnal’s re-entry could spoil his prospects. Mr. Pattanshetty is apparently using his influence to not only get ticket for himself, but also ensure Mr. Yatnal does not join the BJP.

With this objective, he had reportedly sent his supporters to urge State leaders not to induct Mr. Yatnal into the party. On the other hand, Mr. Yatnal appears to be desperate to rejoin the party for which he has reportedly met several leaders in Delhi and in Karnataka. Though he has so far not officially received green signal from the party, he is reportedly trying every way to join the party again.