Karnataka BJP MLA Shrimant Patil Claims He 'Was Offered Money To Join Saffron Party'

Patil said that he was offered money to join BJP and he could have sought any amount to join the party but instead sought a minister post 'to serve the people'

Shrimant Patil (Image credit: ANI)

Chennai: Karnataka BJP MLA Shrimant Balasaheb Patil on Sunday said that he was offered money to quit Congress and join BJP before the Congress-JDS government was toppled in the state. 

According to ANI, Patil informed the media persons that he was offered money to join BJP  but instead he sought a minister’s post to serve the people. 

Briefing the media Patil said, "I have joined BJP without taking any offer of money. I was offered money to join the party. I could have asked for as much as I wanted. I did not ask for money, I asked them to give me a minister's post to serve the people."

Quoting the MLA, ANI said, "I do not know why I was not given a ministership in the present government. But I have been promised that I will get a minister's post in the next expansion. I had a word with Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai."

Patil is an MLA from Kagwad assembly segment in Karnataka. He had been associated with the Congress for a long time, but joined the BJP in July 2019. He was one of the 16 MLAs who jumped ship that year, which led to the fall of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government led by the then chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. Even though he was given a ministerial post when former chief minister Yediyurappa formed the government, he was dropped after Yediyurappa resigned and Basavaraj Bommai took charge. 

Opposition Reacts On BJP MLA’s Horse Trading Claims

According to ANI, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said, “BJP offered money to Congress and JDS MLAs. They have given Rs 25 crore to Rs 35 crore. Shrimant Patil has made a correct statement.”