Archive · 21 Sep 2026
H.K. Patil Threatens MLA Exit Over Gadag Drought Status
H.K. Patil is an elected representative from Gadag.
He says Gadag has received much less rain than usual.
He wants the government to officially declare the district drought-affected.
This could help farmers facing difficult conditions.
Patil says officials have misunderstood the rules and left Gadag out.
He also says the chief minister saw the serious situation during a visit.
Patil will keep asking for action until October 2.
If nothing changes, he may decide whether to leave his MLA position by October 10.
Congress MLA H.K. Patil said he may decide whether to quit between October 2 and October 10.
Patil will continue pressing the Karnataka government to declare Gadag drought-affected until October 2.
He said Gadag recorded a 49 percent rainfall deficit but was excluded from the drought-hit list.
Patil accused officials of misinterpreting drought guidelines and ignoring available data and field inspections.
He said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had directed officials to consider Gadag after visiting the district on September 1.
- Who
- Congress MLA and former minister H.K. Patil, representing Gadag, and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
- What
- Patil warned that he may consider quitting as MLA unless Gadag is declared drought-affected.
- When
- Patil said he would continue his efforts until October 2 and decide between October 2 and October 10.
- Where
- The comments were made in Bengaluru about conditions in Gadag.
- Why
- Patil said Gadag had a 49 percent rainfall deficit and that officials had wrongly interpreted drought guidelines.
H.K. Patil's Position
Officials' Position
Whether Gadag qualifies as drought-affected
H.K. Patil's Position
Patil says Gadag's 49 percent rainfall deficit, available data, and farm inspections justify declaring it drought-hit.
Officials' Position
Officials have not included Gadag in the drought-affected list, according to Patil.
Interpretation of drought guidelines
H.K. Patil's Position
Patil argues that officials wrongly interpreted the drought parameters and thereby deprived Gadag farmers of recognition.
Officials' Position
The article does not provide a public response from the officials or explain their interpretation of the guidelines.
Government direction
H.K. Patil's Position
Patil says Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directed officials to tag Gadag as drought-prone after seeing the situation.
Officials' Position
Despite the reported direction, Gadag had not been added to the drought-prone list when Patil spoke.
- Politician
- H.K. Patil, Congress MLA for Gadag
- Rainfall deficit
- 49 percent in Gadag
- Deadline for continued persuasion
- October 2, Gandhi Jayanti
- Possible resignation decision
- Between October 2 and October 10
- Chief minister's visit
- D.K. Shivakumar visited Gadag on September 1
- Main allegation
- Officials misinterpreted drought-declaration guidelines
- Requested action
- Declare Gadag a drought-affected district