A file photo of BJP rebel leaders Ramesh Jarkiholi and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal during their visit to New Delhi to meet the BJP high command.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s expulsion is unfortunate, but it will be revoked soon, Ramesh Jarkiholi, BJP MLA and former minister, who is considered one of the rebel leaders in state BJP, said in Belagavi on Thursday (March 27, 2025).
He told reporters that he does not think Mr. Yatnal was expelled because he had criticised B.Y. Vijayendra, state BJP president and his father and former CM B.S. Yediyurappa. “I am sure it is not because of his criticism of these leaders. Even I have criticised Mr. Vijayendra several times in the past. But there is no action against me,” he said. He said he had no idea why Mr. Yatnal was expelled.
“However, we are all human beings and we all make mistakes. Maybe we made a mistake, maybe Mr. Yatnal made a mistake. We are not sure what was the mistake, but I am sure it will be condoned and Mr. Yatnal will be readmitted to the party,” Mr. Jarkiholi said. “Such ups and downs are common in politics. Even the Sun’s face is blocked during an eclipse,” he said.
To a query about his criticism of Mr. Vijayendra, he said he remained committed to his old statements even now. “I am not going back on my statements, but I will not make any further comments now,” he said.
He said all the rebel leaders of the State BJP had decided to rally behind Mr. Yatnal and urge the party high command to reconsider its decision. “I am confident that the expulsion will be revoked,” he said. He said he did not know anything about Mr. Yatnal being expelled from the party earlier.
‘Rebels continue to back Yatnal’
The rebels will meet in Bengaluru on Friday (March 28, 2025), and convince Mr. Yatnal to send a letter to the party high command with a request to reconsider its decision. “But we have no plans to take a delegation to New Delhi,” he said. “Some media houses are saying that Mr. Yatnal’s friends and party colleagues have deserted him. But that is not true. Mr. Yatnal is not alone. We are all with him,” he said.
“Mr. Yatnal is a sensitive man and he is in pain now. But then, we have urged him to remain silent and not make any statement against anyone now. We will tell the party high command that he is a selfless leader and that the party will benefit from his leadership. I am sure they will listen,” Mr. Jarkiholi said. He said the appeals would be made to national leaders and not State leaders. The meeting is likely to be held in Kumar Bangarappa’s house.
He also said there was no question of him or Mr. Yatnal leaving the party. “We will continue in the BJP. We will fight for 28 MP seats and all the Assembly seats in the coming elections. In the Bengaluru meeting, we will reaffirm our faith and commitment to strengthen the party,” he said. He said he had spoken to a national leader yesterday about the issue, but refused to divulge details.
He refused to comment on whether the expulsion was part of a conspiracy against Mr. Yatnal, and said that the person behind the conspiracy was not important.
“I knew that Mr. Yatnal will face expulsion. I had a faint idea that he would face action. But we thought the action would be put off. Now that it has happened, we do not want to comment about it. Mr Yatnal is an influential leader of a large community. It is sad that he has been expelled. But I am not a big leader to question the party decision. I will only urge the party disciplinary committee to reconsider the decision,” Mr. Jarkiholi said.
Published – March 27, 2025 02:26 pm IST
