Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s eviction is unfortunate, but will be revoked: Ramesh Jarkiholi

Archive photos of BJP rebel leaders Ramesh Jarkiholi and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal during their visit to New Delhi to comply with the BJP High Command. |Picture source: Special arrangement

The expulsion of Basanagouda Patil Yatnal is unfortunate but will soon be revoked, BJP MLA’s Ramesh Jarkiholi and former minister are considered one of the rebel leaders of the state BJP Party, he said in Bellagarve on Thursday (March 27, 2025).

He told reporters he believes Mr Yatnar was not fired because he had been criticized by state BJP President Vijayandela and his father and former CM BS Yediyurappa. “I’m sure it’s not because of his criticism of these leaders. Even though I’ve criticized Mr. Vijayandra many times in the past. But I’ve taken no action against me.” He said he didn’t know why Mr. Yatnal was fired.

“But we are all humans, we all make mistakes. Maybe we made one mistake, maybe Mr. Yatnal made one mistake. We are not sure what the mistake is, but I’m sure it will be forgiven and Mr. Yatnal will be called to the party,” said Mr. Jarkiholi. “This kind of ups and downs are politically common. Even during solar eclipse, the sun’s face is blocked.”

To ask about his criticism of Mr Vijayendra, he said he was still committed to his old statement. “I won’t look back and say the statement, but now I won’t comment any more.”

He said all rebel leaders of the National BJP decided to rally after Mr Yatnal and urged the party’s senior command to reconsider its decision. “I have confidence that I will be revoked,” he said, saying he had no idea about Mr. Yatnar’s early expulsion from the party.

Rebels continue to support yatnal’

The rebels will meet in Bangalore on Friday (28 March 2025) and convince Mr Yatnal to send a letter to Party High Command to reconsider its decision. “But we have no plans to go to New Delhi,” he said. “Some media said Mr. Yatnal’s friends and colleagues in the party have abandoned him. But that’s not true. Mr. Yatnal is not alone. We are all with him.”

“Mr. Yatnal is a sensitive man and he is suffering now. However, we urge him to remain silent and make no statements to anyone now. We will tell the party’s senior orders that he is a selfless leader and that the party will benefit from his leadership. I’m sure they will listen.” He said the appeal would be brought to the state leaders, not the state leaders. The meeting may be held at the home of Kumar Bangarappa.

He also said that he or Mr. Yatnal had left the party without a doubt. “We will continue to join the BJP. We will compete for 28 MP seats and all parliamentary seats in the upcoming elections. At the Bangalore meeting, we will reaffirm our faith and commitment to strengthen the party,” he said, saying he spoke with a national leader on the issue yesterday but declined to give details.

He declined to comment on whether the expulsion was part of the plot against Mr. Yatnal and said that the person behind the plot was not important.

“I know Mr. Yatnal will face eviction. I think he will face action. But we think the action will be postponed. It has happened now. We don’t want to comment on it. Mr. Yatnal is an influential leader in a large community. Sadly, he is not a large leader. But I only question the decisions of the political party.