Long wait finally ends for loyalist with BJP choosing Lingaraj Patil for Council polls

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Lingaraj Patil who has been selected by the BJP for the Legislative Council election from Hubballi. | Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE

The long wait for due political recognition and representation has finally ended for a second-rung leader of the BJP and party loyalist from Hubballi Lingaraj Patil with him being chosen to contest the election to the Legislative Council.

Mr. Lingaraj Patil had been under the shadow of the former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for long.

However, that proximity to senior leaders had not yielded him his due. Despite having faced disappointment on several occasions, he had followed the party’s diktat like a loyal worker all these years.

He, however, lost his patience when his demand for party ticket to contest the election to the Karnataka West Graduates Constituency was not heeded by the party high command. He expressed his disappointment by tendering his resignation to the post of State president of the BJP Disciplinary Committee in March this year.

He then held a press conference to express his disappointment. He had said that he was deeply hurt by the denial of party ticket. Recalling his association with the party for the last 37 years and having served it with sincerity and discipline, he had said that he was treated unfairly.

His resignation did create a ruffle within the party circle with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra visiting him to pacify him and also promising a suitable position at a suitable time. And, now that promise has been met and Mr. Patil’s wait has ended.

A science graduate, Mr. Lingaraj Patil belongs to the dominant Lingayat Panchamasali community.

An active worker of the BJP since 1989, Mr. Lingaraj Patil has handled several organisational responsibilities.

He was chairman of Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority for a short tenure.

Now, going by the numbers, Mr. Lingaraj Patil is likely to get elected without any hassles.

Thanking the party fo