Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Apr 18: It is said that former minister and Congress MLA, Ramesh Jarkiholi, who has repeatedly raised the flag of revolt against his party's leadership, has been silently canvassing for the BJP in the current Lok Sabha election, Sources claim that Ramesh's brother and state minister, Sathish Jarkiholi, has complained to state leadership about this development.

It is gathered that Ramesh Jarkiholi convened a meeting of municipal councillors of Gokak on Wednesday April 18 morning and asked his supporters among them to work for the victory of the BJP in this election. Polling for this Lok Sabha seat is scheduled to be held on April 23.

It is said that in his address to the councillors, he expressed strong resentment at his brothers, Sathish Jarkiholi, and Lakhan Jarkiholi for wholeheartedly supporting the Congress, adding that in his constituency his word will be the last, and no one else can poke their nose in the political affairs here. It is said that he asked certain Muslim leaders to do as they wish if they cannot support BJP, but ordered others to work for BJP alone. He also revealed that he will prove to Congress leadership that he is a leader of high caliber without the need to hanker for power. He further said he will cease to be a Congressman, and will stay neutral for the present.

The Congress workers in Gokak are confused as Ramesh Jarkiholi has been insisting that they should take pro-BJP stance, whereas his brother, Lakhan Jarkiholi, has been pressurising them to take the side of the Congress party. Sathish Jarkiholi, seeking votes for Congress candidate, Dr V S Sadhu, said he had to take the field as Ramesh has not been canvassing for the party candidate. He said that the primary motto of the party workers should be to save the party.

In the meanwhile, the Congress, which had earlier served show cause notices to Ramesh Jarkiholi, is thinking of taking strong measures against him because of his rebellion, factionalism, asking his supporters to work for BJP etc.

In the meanwhile, BJP MLA, Balachandra Jarkiholi, who canvassed in Arabhavi constituency for party candidate, Suresh Angadi, noting that his brother, Sathish Jarkiholi, has been canvassing for Congress candidate in the region, commented that he has not issued no objection certificate to his party workers to support his brother.