Belagavi: The politically influential Jarkiholi family of Gokak is likely to create a record of sorts in state politics this time with three of its members set to register five back-to-back victories as MLAs.
Ramesh Jarkiholi, Satish Jarkiholi and Balachandra Jarkiholi have already been legislators four times and continue to be favourites to win their fifth term as legislators in the coming elections. Satish was MLC twice from the local bodies constituency in Belagavi before winning the last two assembly elections against BJP in Yamakanmardi constituency (ST reserved).
Once a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Satish switched to the Congress from JD(S) before Siddaramaiah became CM. His friendship with Siddaramaiah did not last long and he was dropped from the cabinet last year. However, the Congress elevated him to the post of AICC secretary to stop him from switching to JD(S). The business skills of the Jarkiholis have helped them scale dizzy heights in different fields as they own six sugar factories, bungalows besides two helicopters.
Eldest brother Ramesh, the minister for cooperatives, has won all assembly elections since 1999 from Gokak constituency. He secured 72,000 votes against 15,000 of his nearest rival Sadashiv Nayak of Janata Dal (United) in the first election.
He is confident of his fifth victory against his rival Ashok Pujari of BJP.
Balachandra Jarkiholi won assembly elections from Arabhavi in 2004 and 2008 as a JD(S) candidate but later switched to BJP. He won by a huge 75,000 votes beating his nearest rival Kareppa Utagi of Congress in the last assembly election.
Attempts are also being made by the Jarkiholi family to introduce their youngest brother, Lakhan Jarkiholi into big time politics by fielding him in the coming election.
