From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 3: Mining and geology minister Murugesh R Nirani attacked senior BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for his continued tirade against chief minister B S Yediyurappa and challenged Yatnal to resign and leave the party if he wants to criticise the chief minister.

Addressing the media at the Belagavi BJP office on Saturday, Nirani dismissed Yatnal as the most 'incompetent and useless politician' and said the Bijapur party leader from his own Lingayat-Veerashaiva community to leave the party if he wants to attack the leaders.

Speaking in the singular against Yatnal, Nirani reminded the former that he had won on the party ticket and symbol. "Instead of attacking and criticizing the party leadership, he should shut his mouth. It doesn’t behove on him to harm his own party,’’ he said.

"The party had tolerated him (Yatnal) in view of his seniority. If he doesn’t behave and listen to reason, action will be taken against him. We can’t be lenient endlessly,’’ Nirani said.

Nirani said the BJP high command was watching the anti-party activities of Yatnal and would act against him at the appropriate time.

To a question on leaders from Hubballi being entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the by-election in Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency, Nirani said BJP leaders from Hubballi-Dharwad were not from Pakistan or America. There is nothing in entrusting competent leaders with the responsibility of supervising the party’s election campaign, he said.

Minister Umesh Katti, MLA Anil Benake, BJP state general secretary Mahesh Tenginakai and advocate M B Jirali were present.

Earlier, the minister participated in the golden jubilee celebrations of the Belagavi Chambers of Commerce and Industries.