There are more scorpions in B L Santhosh’s basket: Minister MB Patil

BENGALURU: The war of words between Congress minister M B Patil and BJP MP Pratap Simha is still continuing with the former saying that the latter has the experience of being a ‘chela’ (obedient disciple or aide). “So he is talking about ‘chelas’. There may be more scorpions (chelu) in B L Santhosh’s (BJP national general secretary) basket”, Patil remarked.

At a press conference here on Tuesday, Patil taunted B L Santhosh saying that the latter is letting out scorpions one after another to sting leaders. “May God give him some good sense. Let him stop all this first and work on ensuring supply of rice by taking it as personal interest”, he said.

Further, Patil said, “I came across a statement by MP Pratap Simha that I had criticised B L Santhosh and he said that I should stop criticising the Brahmin community. But I don’t know where he saw that”.

Referring to Simha’s allegation that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Patil’s shoulders, the minister said, “Siddaramaiah is our senior leader and an important leader in the state. Even before Siddaramaiah, I was an MLA in the Congress in 1991. I dedicated myself to Congress as a follower of the party. There is no meaning to the remark on shooting from someone else’s shoulder. If I want to hit them, I will directly shoot them. I am from Bijapur, and I have that guts”, added M B Patil.