Karnataka MLA threatens to resign over drought declaration, sets Oct 10 deadline
H K Patil told farmers he would resign as MLA if Gadag taluk is not declared drought-hit by October 10. His ultimatum has sharpened pressure on Karnataka's phased drought assessment and relief process.
Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka minister HK Patil on Sunday said he would resign as MLA if Gadag taluk is not declared drought-hit by October 10. He said he would, however, make every effort to ensure the declaration is made earlier, and targeted October 2 for that.
Patil made the remarks while addressing farmers, as the Karnataka government continues its phased assessment of drought conditions across the state. So far, 124 taluks have been declared drought-hit, while scrutiny is under way in other areas.
Speaking to farmers, Patil said, "If Gadag taluk is not declared drought-hit, I will naturally abide by your decision. I am an MLA because you are with me. If you want me to resign, I will submit my resignation if Gadag is not declared drought-hit by October 10." He also said he was not "helpless" and would push for the declaration at the earliest.
Patil said, "I am not that helpless. I will do whatever needs to be done to get it done within three days. I will make every effort to ensure that Gadag district is declared drought-hit before Gandhi Jayanti, that is, before October 2."
He also warned that he would resign if anyone tried to stop Gadag taluk from being declared drought-hit despite being eligible for it.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said more than 200 taluks across Karnataka are likely to be included in the drought-affected list as the government carries out assessments in phases based on prescribed criteria and ground-truthing.
He said 101 taluks were declared drought-affected in the first phase, followed by another 24, and that 52 more taluks are expected to be added in the next three to four days.
In the next phase, ground-truthing will be carried out in around 50 more taluks before a decision is taken. Against this backdrop, Patil said he would press for Gadag taluk to be included and resign by October 10 if that does not happen.