Cong MLA’s decision to resign is for farmers’ livelihood: CM D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said Congress MLA Yashavantarayagouda V Patil’s decision to offer his resignation was driven by concerns over the livelihood of farmers in his constituency and was not comparable to the “give-and-take” resignations referred to by former minister K.S. Eshwarappa.

CM made the remarks in the Legislative Assembly after Opposition members created a ruckus during the discussion on the drought situation by displaying a copy of Yashavantharaya Patil’s resignation letter. “The Opposition is in a hurry to politicise the issue. I saw on television that there was a major development and came here. We are all in public life, and the Prime Minister has warned us about the severe drought situation. We have personally reviewed conditions in different parts of the state,” Shivakumar said.

He said the present Assembly session was convened to allow legislators to discuss the situation in their respective constituencies. He alleged that during the previous session, the Opposition had not allowed a discussion on drought for political reasons.”We are facing a severe drought. I have travelled to different parts of the state and inspected as many areas as possible within the time available to me. I had first visited Gadag district and reviewed the situation there. The issue concerning Yashavantharaya Patil has now been raised. I have spoken to him. People in all constituencies have borrowed money and cultivated crops. These farmers need relief,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the Centre would have to take a decision on the drought situation and that any report submitted by the state government would ultimately reach the Union government. He said drought could not be declared in an area merely at the discretion of an elected representative and that there were specific criteria for such a declaration.

“Declaring a drought-hit area has its own criteria. There are guidelines relating to the absence of rainfall for a specified period and the extent of rainfall deficiency. Several legislators, including our own, have submitted representations seeking the inclusion of their taluks in the drought list. I have not personally sought the inclusion of any particular constituency. I have entrusted the responsibility to Parameshwara,” Shivakumar said.

He also said the government had attempted cloud seeding amid pressure from various quarters, with mixed results in different parts of the state. “When there are clouds, we can attempt cloud seeding. If there is pressure on senior leaders such as HK Patil on such a large scale, there is nothing wrong with Yashavantharaya Patil feeling distressed,” he said.

Shivakumar maintained that the government was not adopting a partisan approach while dealing with the drought situation. “We are not making any distinction on the basis of political parties. All 224 constituencies are equal. Wherever rainfall has been deficient according to the prescribed criteria, drought has been declared. Only one part of my constituency has received rainfall, while the remaining areas have not. Even then, I have not put pressure to include my constituency in the drought list,” he said.

He said Yashavantharaya Patil had acted emotionally because of pressure from people in his constituency and had also approached the Speaker. “He was advised to speak to the Chief Minister. I spoke to him, reassured him and then came here. He is also under pressure. He has to answer to the people of his constituency. There is nothing wrong in him becoming emotional,” Shivakumar said.

Shivakumar also urged the Opposition not to react hastily to Yashavantharaya Patil’s proposed resignation and said elected representatives should remain in the House and raise the concerns of their constituents. “Even if members of the Opposition emotionally offer their resignations, we will not accept them in haste. The people have elected you for five years. You should remain here and work as their voice. I am the Chief Minister for all 224 constituencies and this is a government for all 224 constituencies. Therefore, discuss the drought situation openly in the House,” he said.

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