Belagavi: In a show of solidarity with farmers protesting against the Mahadayi tribunal’s interim order denying Karnataka the water it had sought from the river, Ramdurg MLA, Ashok Pattan, quit his membership of the state assembly and also as Chief Whip on Friday.

In his resignation letter to the Assembly Speaker K.B. Koliwad, Mr Pattan said he was very upset by the verdict of the tribunal, which had gone against the farmers of his region and those who elected him MLA of Ramdurg constituency.

“I am submitting my resignation for their sake from the posts of MLA and Chief Whip,” he added. Sources close to the MLA said he would not go back on his decision to resign and was prepared to submit the letter in person to the Speaker if it was not accepted.

He has also reportedly decided to hold a meeting of all MLAs of north-Karnataka to draw up a game plan to strengthen the farmers' movement for implementation of the crucial Kalasa Banduri project.

Meanwhile ,Saudatti MLA, Anand Mamni too offered to resign as legislator while participating in a dharna by farmers at Benkatti against the tribunal's verdict.
He said he was prepared to quit the moment the farmers asked him to if it would help in the implementation of the Kalsa-Banduri project, vital for supplying drinking water to various parts of north-Karnataka.

“Many agitators have demanded the resignations of all legislators in north-Karnataka to put pressure on the Centre to concede their demand. If they feel that our (MLAs) resignation will help, then I will be the first to quit,'' he added.

Several farmer leaders, who welcomed the decision of the MLAs to resign, hoped the Lok Sabha MPs from the region would take a similar decision in the interest of the state.