Missing MLA Patil takes a u-turn, goes back to Congress

BENGALURU: Amid political turmoil in the state, a manhunt was launched for Congress MLA Pratapgouda

Patil

representing Maski in Raichur district.


Around noon, it was reported that two rooms had been booked for him and another missing Congress MLA BS Anand Singh (he later appeared in the assembly) in Hotel Goldfinch, two km from Vidhana Soudha. This resulted in DG & IG Neelamani Raju visiting the hotel to verify whether the two MLAs were being held under duress.

The Supreme court, while fixing the date for the trust vote, had directed that maximum security should to the MLAs for them to vote in a free and fair manner. Congress MLC H M Revanna, who had arrived at the hotel to issue a whip to Patil and Singh was not allowed to go inside.

Around 2.30 pm there was lot of activity outside the hotel, when Patil amid heavy police security was taken to the Vidhana Soudha by BJP MLAs S R Vishwanath and Harish Poonja. Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who was standing outside Vidhana him go, escorted by the two BJP MLAs.

Even as he was being taken to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa ’s chamber, a split second drama ensured. turned back to look and Congress MLA E Tukaram and MLC Ravi, who were behind him just grabbed his hand and walked away.

In the assembly’s opposition lounge, Patil was given a rousing welcome by the Congress members.