Satish Jarkiholi, Excise Minister and a close confidant of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to make the party stronger in the Belgaum region ahead of the crucial parliament elections next year. The dynamic leader from the Jarkiholi family has taken up several historic developmental works in Gokak taluk ever since he first became MLC a decade ago.
His initiative to shell out money on his own to blacktop the roads of Gokak which were in a pathetic state, soon after he took to politics a decade ago, has helped him grow into a strong political leader in north Karnataka.
The government headed by Siddaramaiah sidelined politial heavyweights like Prakash Hukkeri and D.B. Inamdar, both five-time MLAs, to give the coveted Belgaum district in-charge minister's post to Jarkiholi, considering his ability to perform as a leader. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Jarkiholi contended that his government is working in a professional way to ensure the development of all areas of Karnataka. Excerpts.
Q: What does the government want to achieve from the winter session of the state legislature to be held in Belgaum for 10 days starting November 25?
A: We want to make the second session being held at Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum an effective one. The government is keen on throwing light on all major issues pertaining to the state rather than confining itself to issues pertaining to one region (north-Karnataka). The legislature sessions should focus on all major issues that are in the larger interest of the state. I am hopeful that the upcoming session will be able to meet the expectations of all people of Karnataka. Of course, there are demands from a section of people to raise issues pertaining to development of north-Karnataka in the coming session, but the matter is left to the chief minister to decide.
Q: In the wake of threats from BJP leaders and farmers to disrupt the session, is it possible to hold it as desired?
A: There is no question of anybody creating problems during the session in Belgaum. For all the problems and difficulties which the farmers are facing, the government is striving to find solutions. It is however the right of farmers to protest but nothing will prevent the coming session from happening smoothly.
Q: Why is the government not serious about grave problems which farmers across the state are facing?
A: The government is responding to all the problems which farmers and sugarcane growers contend they are facing. An effort has been made sincerely by the government to fix the cane growers problems by asking sugar factories to pay at least Rs 2,500 per tonne of cane to farmers. In the last few weeks, the problems of cane growers worsened only because the factory managements and cane growers could not come to a consensus on the price of cane. While the factories quote one price, the growers oppose it. The government is open to finding an alternative to end the prevailing uncertainty. We will be able to overcome all farmers problems in the coming days.
Q: There is a confusion over most devevelopmental works announced by the government. The recent ‘Shaadi-Bhagya’ scheme has turned controversial.
A: Already, the chief minister has given a statement that he is open to extending the ‘Shaadi-Bhagya’ programme to other sections as well. Some of the initiatives taken up by the government have come under criticism. We are in favour of having programmes that benefit the larger sections of the population. The controversy prevailing over this project is unwarranted as the government is prepared to help people of all sections.
Q: Congress leaders are going the BJP way by showing little respect for opposition parties. The Congress is unwilling to take note of the opposition's demand for removal of minister Santosh Lad from the cabinet.
A: The party has high regard for everyone even if they belong to different parties. Already, top leaders of the party in the state have given their opinion about issues pertaining to Lad.
The CM also has made his stand clear on this issue. The question of Congress leaders not respecting leaders of opposition parties does not arise.
