Gadag, Sept. 20 -- Congress MLA H.K. Patil has issued an ultimatum to the Karnataka government over the demand to declare Gadag taluk drought-hit, saying he will resign from the Assembly if the status is not granted by October 10.

Patil made the announcement while speaking at Mulagund, where he highlighted the concerns of farmers over the continuing rainfall deficit. He said the situation in Gadag had been assessed by officials and discussed at meetings involving elected representatives and the district administration.

According to Patil, Gadag taluk has experienced a 49 per cent shortfall in rainfall. He said the extent of the deficit warranted its inclusion in the drought-hit category and questioned the government's decision to leave ...