BJP pins hopes on Satish Jarkiholi moves, H D Kumaraswamy-Siddaramaiah rivalry

Bengaluru: The opposition BJP, which fell marginally short of a majority in the last assembly poll, is pinning its hopes on the coalition government coming undone due to its internal differences, and is particularly watching the rivalry between Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with interest. It also finds the moves of Belagavi strongman Sathish Jarkiholi, who has become the unofficial leader of a group of disgruntled 13 Congress MLAs of interest.

Mr Jarkiholi was upset with the Congress during the Siddaramaiah government as he was given the Small Industries portfolio when he wanted Excise.
He quit in protest and the ministry was given to his brother, Ramesh Jarkiholi, who joined hands with Congres leaders, Lakshmi Hebbalkar and D K Shivakumar and ensured his place in the Kumaraswamy cabinet as well, much to Mr Satish's anger.

With this development adding fuel to his anger, there were rumours that Mr Jarkiholi could meet BJP national president, Amit Shah to work out a deal and switch loyalty to the saffron party. But Congress leaders laugh at suggestions that he could pull down the government. “Why should he do this? I don't see anything happening to the government till the Parliament elections are held,” said a close aide of Mr Siddaramaiah, adding, “This is just media hype and Bharatiya Janata Party’s speculation.”

Also, a senior BJP leader believes that Mr Shah is not likely to meet Mr Satish Jarkiholi and his band of disgruntled leaders. This is unlikely to go down well either with the upset Congress leader as he is not open to discussing such issues with second or third rung leaders, according to sources close to him.