Senior BJP leaders should speak up on MLC C T Ravi's arrest incident: MLA Abhay Patil

Belagavi: BJP MLA Abhay Patil on Monday urged the party leaders to take the arrest of MLC C T Ravi, who was detained by the police at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha, seriously.

Speaking to the reporters, the BJP leader warned that if senior leaders remain silent, other lawmakers could face similar situations in the future.

Patil also expressed concern that BJP workers were anxious about their own safety, as senior leaders had remained silent in response to the incident involving MLC Ravi.

"MLC Ravi has shook the party workers as senior leaders were silent and workers were worried," he said, adding that it was time for the leaders to speak out and demand accountability for those responsible for Ravi's arrest.

Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat train service to be extended to Belagavi

Patil mentioned that Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi held a meeting with Railway Department officials to discuss extending the Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat Express to Belagavi.

Patil, along with MP Jagadish Shettar, participated in the meeting at Joshi's office in Hubballi and offered their suggestions.

In the meeting, Union minister directed the officials to resolve the technical hurdles soon, he said, adding that they expect the service to begin next month.

They also discussed the new railway line from Savadatti, aimed at facilitating access for devotees visiting the Renuka-Yallamma temple at Yallammanagudda.

Patil further said that the district administration had not invited him to the unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha. He said he would decide whether to attend once he received an official invitation.

Patil criticised the Congress for overshadowing Mahatma Gandhi’s image in the banners and hoardings installed for the "Gandhi Bharat" program, noting that the pictures of other party leaders were more prominent.