The Hindu : Karnataka News : Yatnal, Yeddyurappa patch up

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Yatnal, Yeddyurappa patch up

T.V. Sivanandan

The former Chief Minister may campaign in Devarahippargi Assembly segment

Yatnal rubbishes Appu Pattanshetty’s charge
The former Union Minister had originally sought the ticket for Bijapur city

DEVARAHIPPARGI (BIJAPUR DIST.): Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who had problems with BJP leaders, particularly B.S. Yeddyurappa in the past, appears to have mellowed down and is ready to invite the former Chief Minister to campaign for him in the Devarahippargi Assembly constituency.

In a chat with The Hindu during his campaigning in the constituency, spread over Muddebihal, Basavana Bagewadi and Sindagi taluks, Mr. Yatnal said: “We have patched up.”

To a question if he would invite Mr. Yeddyurappa to campaign for him, he said: “Definitely. Mr. Yeddyurappa will be invited.”

However, Mr. Yatnal appears to have not forgiven his one-time follower Appu Pattanshetty, former Minister in the Kumaraswamy Cabinet who is contesting in Bijapur city Assembly constituency.

Asked about the charges that he (Mr. Yatnal) was working against Mr. Pattanshetty and was responsible for putting up a rebel candidate against him in Bijapur city, Mr. Yatnal shot back: “Mr. Pattanshetty is facing difficulties in Bijapur because of his own mistakes. He has distanced himself from the voters and workers. There are 20 candidates in the fray in Bijapur. Does he mean to say that I have fielded all of them against him (Mr. Pattanshetty)?”

Mr. Yatnal had originally sought the party ticket from the Bijapur city Assembly constituency, which he had won in 1994 election with a good margin to end the Congress domination there. “My name was in the list till it was despatched to Delhi, but when the final announcement was made I was told to contest from Devarahippargi.”

“I do not have any problem contesting from any constituency in Bijapur as I consider all the segments in the district as my own.”

Mr. Yatnal faces a BJP rebel Kashinath Chennabasappa Masibanal, the former MLA Shivaputrappa Desai, who was elected on the BJP ticket last time from Huvinahippargi (now renamed as Devarhippargi) and is fighting on the Janata Dal (S) ticket, and the Congress candidate A.S. Patil Nadahalli, a mine owner.

“I will win the election easily and I have confidence in my voters.”

But not everything appears to be so rosy for Mr. Yatnal in the constituency, which has a fair mix of different communities, including Panchamshali Lingayats (Mr. Yatnal himself is one), Ganigas, Banajiga, Kurubas and Muslims.

The rebel factor and the presence of Mr. Shivaputrappa Desai apart, Mr. Nadahalli is going all out to bag the seat.

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