Bommai involves in ‘cheap politics’ to defends himself

Gadag: Reacting to former CM Basavaraj Bommai’s allegation of triple entry with ‘HK Patil’ name, former minister HK Patil has said that Bommai is involved in cheap politics. Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Patil said that all three names of Hanumanthagouda Krishnagouda Patil in the voter list, mentioned by Bommai are three different people, including himself.Presenting two other HK Patils in the press meet, he also displayed Aadhaar cards of all three HK Patils. “Being a former CM, Bommai should have verified facts before making such a statement. “I am in politics for four decades. Gadag people are mature enough. Hence, Bommai should apologise to the locals. He should know that there will be many people with same name, father name and surname. We condemn his immature statement,” he added.However, Bommai said in a press release that, as an elected representative, it is his duty to bring to the notice of the people the discrepancies in the electoral roll and to urge the election commission to correct them. “Yesterday, I had stated that the name HK Patil appears in three different places in the Gadag constituency voter list. I had requested that this be verified during the SIR. Not just his name, but in Gadag there are around 3,000 such names that appear in two, three, or even four places. We have also submitted a list and insisted that they be verified,” he explained.Responding the words ‘cheap politics’, used by Patil, Bommai clarified that he has not spoken any politics in this regad.“The election commission must provide a proper clarification regarding these discrepancies in the voter list. Our demand to rectify the list still stands. As a public representative, I have fulfilled my duty without yielding to any pressure. There is no question of apologising,” he argued.Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. Download the TOI App.