Overview

• Shivanand Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Textiles, resigned from the Legislative Assembly on May 2, tying the acceptance of his resignation to that of Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, an expelled BJP MLA.
• Yatnal had challenged Patil and Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar to resign by May 9 and contest against him in by-polls as independents.
• Patil stated his resignation was a personal decision, unrelated to the Congress party or Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and expressed willingness to contest against Yatnal in any constituency.
• Yatnal has employed identity-based allegations, including questioning the leaders' parentage and accusing Patil of being reliant on Muslim votes and engaging in Muslim appeasement.
• Kashappanavar, the second leader challenged by Yatnal, has yet to respond, leaving the potential for further political developments before the May 9 deadline.