Kalaburagi, June 16 (UNI) Senior Congress MLA BR Patil, a veteran three-term legislator from Aland, renewed his criticism of the party and government, stating that he feels like "a foreigner" despite decades of service.
In a veiled dig at the leadership, he hinted at his continued exclusion from the state cabinet, reflecting simmering discontent.
"I am a foreigner, but I am very much part of the party," Patil told reporters here. "The party gave me a ticket, the party made me win. I attend all party meetings."
In a tongue-in-cheek remark, he added, "I haven’t got the green card yet," before abruptly ending his comments with, "leave it, leave it."
Patil's remarks come in the backdrop of his resignation in February from the post of Political Adviser to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In his resignation letter, he cited dissatisfaction with the internal atmosphere of the party, stating he no longer desired any official post, though he would continue to serve as an MLA. The move highlighted growing unrest among senior legislators who feel marginalised within the party and the government.
This is not the first time Patil has publicly voiced his grievances. In July last year, he had expressed strong displeasure during a Congress Legislature Party meeting, reportedly threatening to resign over what he termed a matter of "self-respect." He was said to be among a group of legislators who submitted a letter raising concerns about the functioning of certain ministers and the lack of support for constituency-level development. Although Patil later distanced himself from a circulated version of the letter and filed a police complaint labelling it fake, the incident exposed underlying tensions in the party.
His latest remarks are being seen in the context of growing internal churn within the Karnataka Congress, as several senior leaders continue to lobby for ministerial berths and key positions. With talk of an impending cabinet expansion or reshuffle, names of disgruntled MLAs are once again in circulation.
Patil, despite his seniority and mass base in the Kalyana Karnataka region, remains without a cabinet portfolio.
Political observers view Patil's comments as reflective of broader discontent among long-serving Congress leaders who feel sidelined under the current dispensation. With murmurs of dissent growing louder, the Congress high command may be compelled to step in to restore cohesion ahead of future political battles.
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