Senior MLA B R Patil revealed on Sunday that he threatened to resign during a recent Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, asserting "self-respect," but stated that he refused to apologize for drafting a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister expressing his concerns, news agency PTI reported. The CLP meeting on Thursday evening was noteworthy because it occurred amid allegations that up to 30 lawmakers had written to Siddaramaiah and the party leadership, expressing worry over the non-implementation of development projects in their areas.
Certain ministers' demeanour and conduct has irritated certain MPs, according to Patil, who warned that their struggle would continue if it is not changed.
The Aland MLA, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with the Legislature party meeting on Thursday and what occurred there.
In answer to a query that various ministers including Home Minister G Parameshwara had indicated at the CLP meeting that those who submitted letters to the CM have apologised, Patil stated: “I too have seen media and newspaper reports. I don’t know who has apologised. I have not apologised, nor will I. Have we committed any crime to apologise? Or have we made a big mistake?”
Speaking with media, Patil said: “There is internal democracy in our party, we have the right to request a legislature party meeting. Accordingly, leaders have called (for the meeting). There was open and detailed discussion in the meeting and I’m satisfied, but I’m not a coward to apologise. If I had committed any mistake, I would have apologised."
Several legislators are believed to be irritated and to have complained that they have not been allowed to complete work in their areas and have not been granted transfers (of government employees). They have voiced dissatisfaction with certain ministers, stating that they are not collaborating with them.
According to party sources, Patil, one of the MLAs who wrote to the CM, chastised ministers at the CLP meeting for failing to take MLAs seriously, PTI reported.
They said Patil defended his rights when Siddaramaiah questioned the necessity of the letter issued to him.
Patil told reporters today that there is no dissatisfaction and that he and certain MPs wanted certain matters discussed and had requested that a CLP meeting be held.
When asked if he mentioned he would resign at the meeting, Patil said: “I said one thing at one point, that if my self respect is hurt I will throw my resignation and go.” He did not, however, comment on the circumstances in which he made such a statement. “It cannot be discussed openly in the media, we have discussed internally," he was quoted by PTI in its report.
He further stated: “I don’t know whether CM has advised them (ministers) or not… If their behaviour is not right, our fight against it will be there.”
In answer to a query, Patil admits to walking out of the CLP meeting and being convinced to return by a handful of ministers. But he refused to go into specifics.
He did, however, say that the chief minister afterwards spoke with him on the phone.
Patil clarified that the legislators' concern is not about the transfer of government employees, and that the CM explained at the CLP meeting about the burden on the exchequer as a result of the implementation of the poll guarantees, and that there will be a shortage of funds for developmental works this year, which will be rectified in the days ahead. “We are satisfied with what CM said,” he added.