Panchamasali quota: Yatnal gives CM 24 hours

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: The Panchamasali quota issue is back to haunt the Basavaraj Bommai government.

Strongly rejecting the state government's decision to place the Panchamasalis in the 2D category for providing them a quota, Vijayapura City MLA and former Union minister Basangouda Patil Yatnal has demanded that the community should be allowed to continue in the existing 2A category and has given Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai 24 hours to consider and accept their demand.

"Since the day he became chief minister, Bommai has been misleading the community. The government gets an interim report from the State Backward Classes Commission only to hoodwink the Panchamasali community. Within 24 hours, the CM must clearly say whether he will provide us reservation or not". Taking the government headon, Yatnal said since he had been leading the agitation of the Panchamasali community, at the most they (BJP) may expel him from the party.

''The Ministers do not know what 2D is. Mr. Bommai, you need not give me a ticket but explain your stand clearly on reservation. Our community MLA (Industries Minister Murgesh Nirani) only wants power.''

''The community wants a one-word reply, 'Yes' or 'No'. CM Bommai is trying to create a rift in the community. Bommai promised reservation in the 2D category in employment and education but he has cheated the Panchamasali community completely,'' he asserted.

Training his guns on CM Bommai and former CM B.S.Yediyurappa, Yatnal said "We are not threatening anyone. There were 27 cases against me and all of them have been disposed of in the People's Representatives Court. I am not scared of anyone. I have enjoyed every post and position in politics. I was keeping quiet because Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji was ill. Henceforth, there is no question of sitting quietly," he added.