BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi.
Credit: X/@RameshJarkiholi
Belagavi: Former minister and MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi said that their team will hold a meeting in Bengaluru on Friday (March 28) and discuss the developments about the veteran leader MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's explusion from the party.
We shall urge the high command and disciplinary committee to revoke the expulsion orders. All team members, including Yatnal, will remain in the BJP and work for the party.
Jarkiholi told reporters here on Thursday (March 27) that we did not respond to the expelling of Yatnal after getting knowledge of it on Wednesday (March 26) as we wanted to know the mood of the people and their reactions.
"We had an inkling that Yatnal could be expelled. I cannot question the decision of the high command for expelling Yatnal, but I shall request them to revoke the decision. The party is bigger than us," Jarkiholi said.
"All of us, including Yatnal, will hold a meeting in Bengaluru on Friday. We will discuss ways to request the high command and disciplinary committee to revoke the expelling order. Yatnal is a tall leader of the Lingayat Panchamsali community and the BJP and should not have been expelled. We are hurt over Yatnal being expelled," he said.
"I, too, like Yatnal, have spoken against BJP State President B Y Vijayendra. During the meeting in Bengaluru, we shall explore the reasons that could have led to Yatnal’s expulsion. None of our team members will quit the BJP and shall remain in the party to work hard to win 120 seats in the 2028 assembly election or, if elections are forced earlier," Jarkiholi stated.
He added-- I have spoken to the high command regarding the expulsion of Yatnal. Who was behind it was not important. We are humans and do commit mistakes. If needed, we shall give a letter from Yatnal to the high command to revoke the decision taken, as he has worked hard to build the party in the state. I have high hopes that the decision will be revoked. Yatnal is not alone, and all the team members are with him."