Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)
Belagavi, Feb 15: "If I so wish, I can get five of the Congress legislators from the state resign within a matter of 24 hours. I can bring them into the BJP. If I reveal their names, you are bound to be shocked," said state minister for water resources Ramesh Jarkiholi.
He was addressing a felicitation organized for the BJP-supporterted gram panchayat presidents, vice-presidents and members belonging to Belagavi rural assembly constituency on Sunday February 14.
He hoped that the number of victorious BJP-supported candidates would double in the next election. "The lotus should bloom again in this constituency. For that to happen, everyone has to join hands and fight in an organized way," he advised.
Jarkiholi acknowledged that he considers the leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah, as his leader and that he speaks to the latter at least twice everyday. "When the issue of party affiliation comes, we are all strong BJP supporters. For 20 years, I had been sidelined in the Congress. But in the BJP, every leader including union home minister, Amit Shah and Yediyurappa treat me with affection," he stated. He said that all the 17 legislators who were with him will continue with the BJP.
Directing his anger at Belagavi rural MLA from the Congress, Laxmi Hebbalkar, he said that in politics, one needs to have experience to speak. He said that when speaking, one has to think what he or she is saying lest they will be in trouble.
"You are a lady. May God bless you. But as far as politics is concerned, defeating you will be our prime objective," he told Laxmi Hebbalkar.