Bidar, 5 January

 BJP MLA from Karnataka’s Humnabad Assembly seat, Dr Siddalingappa Patil and Congress MLC Bhimrao Patil came to blows and hurled abuses at each other during a discussion on land encroachment in the district-level quarterly progress review (KDP) meeting at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium here on Monday.

The ruckus broke out during the review meeting, being chaired by District In-charge Minister Eshwar Khandre with Minister Rahim Khan in attendance.

As the discussion on forest land in Humnabad began, Dr Siddalingappa and Bhimrao began to speak on the subject. But the debate soon escalated into a heated exchange between the two leaders.

As Siddalingappa was speaking, Bhimrao Patil strongly objected and walked towards him. The two confronted each other, clashed physically and shouted abuses at the top of their voices. Bhimrao Patil’s brother, MLC Chandrashekhar, followed him and stood up in support.

As the situation began to spiral out of control, ASP Chandrakant Poojari had to intervene to restore order. Minister Eshwar B Khandre, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma and SP Pradeep Gunti also stepped in to bring the situation under control. The meeting was later adjourned indefinitely without any discussion.

Speaking to Salar News, Siddalingappa Patil alleged, “Congress MLCs Bhimrao and Chandrashekhar attacked me for raising questions about an illegal layout on 48 acres of land, worth Rs 500 crore, given to the Sikh Community, saying, 'I'll deal with you, come outside’.”

Janata Dal (Secular), district president Ramesh Solpur Patil, later told the Salar News, "Elected representatives should set an example, not indulge in abusive language and brawls."