Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Jan 2: If reports received from certain sections are to be believed, Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was hoping to rock Congress boat with the support of legislators loyal to him, has been left high and dry now, thanks to the efforts made by several of his party leaders. With this, hopes of the state BJP leadership of encashing the situation arising out of revolt within the Congress has been dashed, it is said.
Reports claim that chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, who reportedly visited France to witness shooting of a film featuring his son, talked to disgruntled legislators loyal to Jarkiholi and succeeded in winning over their confidence.
This has delivered a severe blow to Ramesh Jarkiholi. BJP, which was careful not to bite the dust by openly posing a challenge, is said to have decided to lie low for the time being.
Reportedly, national president of BJP, Amit Shah, is not prepared to meet Jarkiholi, as he has told the former Karnataka minister in no uncertain terms that he can hold talks with him only if he has the support of at least 20 legislators. This has put Jarkiholi in a fix. It is said that he is trying to strike truce with Congress leaders now and towards this end, has contacted some key leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, through his close aides.
Ramesh Jarkiholi, peeved over the ill-treatment he feels he received at the hands of Congress leaders, was waiting to floor the Congress with the support of eight MLAs close to him including two independents. Kumaraswamy, who was aware of the plan, talked to these MLAs individually from abroad and saw to it that they dropped the plan to support the revolt. At the same time, Siddaramaiah too spoke to disgruntled Congress leaders and asked them not to take any drastic steps.
It is said that the central leadership of the BJP is now angry at its state leaders as the plan to form alternative government with support of Congress legislators became public knowledge before it could be executed.