Karnataka BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal
Credit: DH Photo
Expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Saturday claimed that the BJP would “welcome him back with respect” and predicted political doom for B S Yediyurappa’s family.
“The time will come when I’ll be requested to come back (into the party). In the past, Amit Shah invited me back. PM Modi himself will take me back into the party,” Yatnal told reporters.
He said he had no plans to start his own political outfit. “The current BJP is spoiled because of the Yediyurappa family. Look at Yogi Adityanath in UP, Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra and Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam. They’re staunchly in favour of Hindutva. But here, it’s all about family and loot,” he charged. “They use Veerashaiva-Lingayat card to do blackmail. They’ve booked 5-6 pontiffs who issue statements in their favour,” he said.
The MLA claimed that he had been receiving calls from all BJP lawmakers. “They’re telling me that the party has done injustice. We have a big team,” he said.
Yatnal was in Bengaluru, where he offered prayers at a Shani (Saturn) temple.
“Shani is changing course, like he does once every 2.5 years. This will impact some Zodiac signs. The Panchama Shani in my Zodiac sign is leaving. From Sunday, it’ll be a new year and era as per Sanatana Dharma. Even I’m starting anew. It also marks the beginning of the end for Yediyurappa family,” he said.