Bengaluru: Are the Jarkiholi brothers of Belagavi secretly involved in talks with the BJP to topple the JD(S)-Congress coalition government? Or is it just a ruse by the BJP to make the coalition seem unstable when it is not. These rumours have gained credence after Municipal Administration Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi reportedly met Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP strongman Devendra Fadnavis a couple of days ago and also had a meeting with senior BJP leader and MLA B. Sriramulu.
Mr Jarkiholi, who owns sugar factories in Maharashtra, ostensibly discussed issues related to his sugar factory with Mr Fadnavis but sources close to the developments say they discussed Karnataka politics. A source maintained that Mr Jarkiholi had demanded the CM post for his brother and former minister Satish Jarkiholi besides the footing of the electoral expenses of those who quit the Congress party. Other sources however asserted that nothing concrete was discussed as the BJP is not for the formation of a new government in Karnataka as much as to "rattle" the coalition and show up the Congress as being unable to lead one.
"The Jarkiholis are like the Reddy brothers . Why would the BJP fall into the same trap it got into in 2008 by relying on mine lords and later getting embroiled in a mining scam mess? The BJP central leadership will react cautiously to their (Jarkiholis') overtures," a senior leader said. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed talk of a revolt in the party declaring that let alone Mr Fadnavis, even BJP National President Amit Shah would not be able to bring down the coalition government.
