Bengaluru, 23 September

Congress MLA Yeshwanthrayagouda Patil has sent his resignation to Karnataka Assembly Speaker G S Patil citing the state government's failure to declare his Indi constituency in Vijayapura district as drought-hit despite repeated representations.

Stating that he is unable to respond to the hopes and aspirations of his constituency's people, he alleged that in the present political environment, importance is given to influential people and those who employ pressure tactics.

"Indi taluk in Vijayapura district, which I represent, has been severely affected by drought during the 2026-27 kharif season. As there was some rainfall at the beginning of the season, farmers borrowed money and purchased seeds and fertilisers and sowed their crops. However, due to the failure of timely rains, the crops have withered, and there is also a shortage of drinking water for people and livestock," Patil said in a letter to the Speaker dated September 22.

He said he had submitted a representation to the chief minister and deputy chief minister on August 28, requesting that Indi taluk be declared drought-hit.

"However, out of the 13 taluks in Vijayapura district, 11 have been declared drought-hit so far, leaving out only Indi and Chadachan taluks. Across the state, 188 taluks have been declared drought-hit so far," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said on Tuesday that the number of drought-hit taluks would touch 177 and might reach 200 in the coming days.

In the first phase, the state declared 101 taluks as drought-hit, and 23 were added after continued assessment. Recently, 53 more were included in the list, he said.

Noting that, as a legislator from the ruling party, he had made several representations in a restrained manner, keeping in mind that the government should not face embarrassment, Patil said, "However, it has now come to feel that my views and sentiments are not being given due consideration.

In the present political environment, importance is being given to influential people and those who employ pressure tactics, while people like us who have a gentle and moderate approach are not receiving consideration for even legitimate demands."

"Therefore, as I am unable to respond to the hopes and aspirations of the people of my constituency, I am voluntarily resigning from the post of MLA," he added.

Unhappy over being excluded during the expansion of D K Shivakumar-led Cabinet, Patil had earlier resigned from his legislative post on August 3. He however withdrew it subsequently on being persuaded by the party leadership.