Karnataka MLA Shrimant Patil's shocking revelation: ‘Was offered money to join BJP in 2019’
With the start of the legislature session from today, this issue might be taken up by the Opposition Congress.
FollowIn an expose which could cause huge embarrassment to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, BJP MLA Shrimant Balasaheb Patil on Sunday said he was offered money at the time of quitting Congress by the BJP government.
In what can be seen as an evidence of horse-trading, the party's Kagwad MLA said "I have joined BJP without taking any offer of money. I was offered money to join the party. I could have asked for as much as I wanted. I did not ask for money, I asked them to give me a minister's post to serve the people,” ANI reported.
"I do not know why I was not given a ministership in the present government. But I have been promised that I will get a minister's post in the next expansion. I had a word with Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai," he added.
Patil had a long association with Congress but changed camp in July 2019. He was one of the 16 MLAs who jumped ship to BJP from Congress and Janata Dal Secular (JDS) causing the downfall of the coalition government led by then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
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He was made Minister in the BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government but was dropped from the Cabinet after Yediyurappa stepped down and Basavaraj Bommai became Chief Minister.
With the start of the legislature session from today, this issue might be taken up by the Opposition Congress.
Opposition parties in Karnataka have been targeting the BJP government levelling allegations of horse-trading 16 MLAs belonging to the Congress and the JDS which ended the coalition government.
“I have done farming for two decades but last time I was given Textile and Minority Welfare portfolio, which I have handled honestly. The Chief Minister has assured that I would be included during next Cabinet expansion. If the Agriculture portfolio is given, I will handle it efficiently and help people,” he added as quoted by ANI.
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