BENGALURU, 22 AUG

Expelled BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Friday announced that he would launch a “non-adjustment political party” in Karnataka.

The Vijayapura MLA announced in the assembly after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted the state’s financial woes and accused the previous BJP government of passing bills without funds during its 2019-23 tenure.

“You (Siddaramaiah) too got support from two of us,” Yatnal said, prompting Siddaramaiah to quip, “Please sit down. You have been expelled from the party.”

In his response, Yatnal said, “You were also expelled by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda from the JD(S). Whoever is expelled from a party becomes Chief Minister one day.”

“I will be happy if you become Chief Minister,” Siddaramaiah said in a lighter vein. “But from which party will you do it?” the CM asked and suggested that Yatnal form a new party after his expulsion from the BJP.

“I am going to form a ‘Non-Adjustment Political Party’. Don’t worry if it cuts BJP’s votes. It won’t help you,” Yatnal responded. Siddaramaiah retorted that Yatnal should launch his outfit if he wanted the Congress to come to power.

The firebrand leader was expelled from the BJP for six years after repeatedly targeting former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his son, state BJP president BY Vijayendra, over "dynastic politics" and alleging an adjustment between Yediyurappa and Siddaramaiah.

Several BJP legislators had joined his campaign before the party high command acted to quell dissidence.