BR Patil resigns as Karnataka CM's political advisor

Congress MLA BR Patil has resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s political advisor.

Patil told media on Sunday that he had given his resignation on Friday itself and cannot reveal the reasons for the same now.

"I resigned the day before yesterday. I have written a detailed letter to the Chief Minister. I will speak with him if he calls me," Patil said.

"There are several reasons, but I cannot reveal them publically. I have not spoken with the CM so far. I won't withdraw my resignation," he added.

Patil is a veteran politician who has been an MLA from Aland constituency in Kalaburagi district several times from different parties. He won on Janata Party ticket in 1983, as JD(S) candidate in 2004, as KJP candidate in 2013 and as Congress candidate in 2023. He was an MLC between 1988 and 1994 and held the position of Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council between 1991 and 1994.

Once again, this resignation has reminded the internal power tussle in the Karnataka Congress. After the party had come to power in 2023, rumors had been floated that Patil would be bestowed with a berth as a minister.But when Priyank Kharge and Sharan Prakash Patil were given Cabinet positions, Patil was left out and was appointed as the CM’s political advisor in December 2023.

At an event, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge unveiled a Gandhi statue to mark 100 years of party’s presidency. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar and others were present in Belagavi.