BELAGAVI: With an eye on numerically significant Scheduled Tribes (STs) residing in north Karnataka, the ruling Congress will organize a mega convention at Hospet on January 20, and invite party president Rahul Gandhi to inaugurate the event, according to cooperation minister Ramesh Jarkiholi.
Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi and his siblings, Satish Jarkiholi and Balachandra Jarkiholi, both legislators, hold sway over voters belonging to STs. They are toying with the prospect of fielding Mr Satish Jarkiholi in Raichur constituency during upcoming polls to the Legislative Assembly as part of the strategy to garner votes of STs in Raichur and adjoining districts. Announcing the party’s plans to organize the convention in Hospet on January 20, Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi told the media here that none from the ruling party would defect to other parties on the eve of Assembly polls.
He, however, cautioned senior leaders of the party not to welcome leaders of other parties but clarified that he would not object in case the decision on induction of these leaders was taken by central leaders in New Delhi.
The minister also spoke up for loyal local leaders, saying they should be fielded during Assembly elections.
Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi claimed that the party would win a majority of the constituencies in Belagavi district, and return to power, on grounds that the ruling party continued to enjoy the support of people across the state.
Commenting on intense lobbying for the party ticket by aspirants in Athani constituency, Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi said party leaders in Delhi would field a candidate of their choice in the event of failure of five aspirants to come arrive at a consensus on the candidature.
He accused Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of misleading people on sharing water of the river Mahadayi.
He charged that Mr Parrikar violated the protocol by writing to state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa, and not Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. 0
