MLAs’ apathy invites anger

Shivananad Patil, president of District Central Co-operative Bank and JD MLA of Tikota and other MLAs like Ravikant Patil of Indi, Shiwaputrappa Desai (Huving Hippargi) Vimlabai Deshmukh, minister for women and child development and minister in-charge of Bagalkot district, Vilasbabu Almelkar (Balloli), B.S. Patil (Mangoli) Congress MLA from Basawan Bagewadi who is also the president of Bijapur district Congress committee, Basangouda Patil (Yatnal) city MLA of Bharatiya Janata Party, B.G. Patil (Halsangi) and S.A. Jiddi, Janata Dal and Congress MLCs were among those who did not meet the team. It was left to Zilla Parishad president R.K. Rathod and vice president Mallikarjun Loni to appraise the team members at the new circuit house. S.D. Karpurmath, JD MLC, did try to meet the members but his efforts were in vain. This behaviour was "abnoxious" said a Janata Dal worker. He said he was ashamed to be in a party that had such apathetic MLAs. He said this would tell on the party’s fortunes in the elections nextyear. "I don’t understand why they behaved like this, when the tour programme was sent well in advance to all the leaders and MLAs. What prevented them from appraising the team is questionable, said the young worker in an angry mood.

Eightyseven-year-old freedom fighter Basawannappa Shirur and others condemned in strong words the attitude of the MLAs. "If they have any self-respect they should resign." He called upon people to seek their resignation. Lok Sabha MP from Bijapur M.B. Patil was among those who did not met the team, sources said.