B.R. Patil is the Aland MLA.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO
With intense lobbying under way ahead of the formation of a new Cabinet following Siddaramaiah’s resignation to pave the way for Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar to take over the top post, senior Congress leader and Aland MLA B.R. Patil has openly staked his claim to a Ministerial berth.In a media note released here on Sunday, Mr. Patil cited his nearly five-decade-long political career, his role in mass movements, his contribution to strengthening the AHINDA movement and his loyalty to Mr. Siddaramaiah during crucial phases of the latter’s political journey as reasons that “make him deserving of” a Cabinet berth.“Seeking a Cabinet berth is my right and securing it for me is Siddaramaiah’s responsibility,” Mr. Patil said.Tracing his political career, Mr. Patil said that he entered public life through student politics and won his first election to the Aland Taluk Board in 1978. He said that he was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1983 on Janata Party ticket.“Over the past five decades, I have actively participated in people’s movements, including the AHINDA movement, several farmers struggles, labour agitations, environmental campaigns and irrigation-related protests. This makes me a deserving candidate for a Cabinet berth,” he said.Mr. Patil recalled that when Mr. Siddaramaiah parted ways with the Janata Dal (Secular), he stood firmly by him and travelled across the State to strengthen the AHINDA movement.“When a group of eight MLAs left the Janata Dal(S) during that turbulent period, I remained steadfast with Mr. Siddaramaiah despite the risk of disqualification. Most of those who moved with him later became Ministers, but I was left out. I have waited long enough for a Ministerial responsibility. Mr. Siddaramaiah should now take personal interest in ensuring my induction into the Cabinet,” he said.Mr. Patil also highlighted his association with several national-level social and farmers movements and said that he worked alongside activists and leaders such as Medha Patkar, Rakesh Tikait, Rajendra Singh and Yogendra Yadav.He claimed that Mr. Siddaramaiah assured him of a Cabinet berth during his earlier tenure as Chief Minister.Referring to the previous Assembly election, Mr. Patil said that he had exposed what he described as a systematic attempt by the BJP to manipulate votes in the Aland constituency.He claimed that the issue later drew the attention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who raised it at the national level.Mr. Patil further claimed that the case was unique in the country as it resulted in the filing of a charge-sheet. Expressing the confidence about his prospects, he said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will also support his inclusion in the State Cabinet. Published - May 31, 2026 07:01 pm IST
