Yatnal says he will fight the next Lok Sabha elections from Vijayapura as the constituency is going to be de-reserved

Belagavi BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal plans to contest next Lok Sabha elections from Vijayapura, challenging Congress leader Shivanand Patil, when the constituency is going to be de-reserved.

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said on Tuesday that he will be the party candidate from Vijayapura in the next Lok Sabha elections as the Delimitation Commission of India is likely to de-reserve the constituency.

“There will be delimitation soon. Vijayapura will be thrown open for general competition. I will fight the next elections from Vijayapura and will be the local MP for 20 years, till my death,” Mr. Yatnal said in Vijayapura on Tuesday.

He was speaking at a party campaign rally.

However, the Union government is yet to announce the formation of a panel for the purpose. The constituency has remained reserved for candidates of Scheduled Castes communities since 2008. Veteran Dalit leader in the BJP Ramesh Jigajinagi has represented it since then.

Mr. Yatnal has served as MP from Vijayapura (earlier Bijapur) for two terms in the past.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jijaginagi filed his nomination papers in Vijayapura on Tuesday.

Mr. Yatnal said that he will challenge Congress leader and Minister Shivanand Patil to face him in the next Lok Sabha polls. “He keeps teasing me every time. I have told him to face me in the polls. But he escapes. I am throwing an open challenge to him to face me in the next polls,” he said.