Belagavi: Former minister Satish Jarkiholi, who was dropped from the state cabinet, may not have admitted his interest in JD(S), but his recent meeting with its state chief H.D. Kumaraswamy has set tongues wagging.
Sources close to him say he could join JD(S) before the next assembly elections and his meeting with Mr Kumaraswamy in Raichur late on Thursday was part of the preparatory process.
Mr Satish’s abrupt dropping from the cabinet had shocked many as he is one of most popular leaders in north Karnataka, capable of playing a crucial role in elections. In fact, he had played a key role in the victories of several Congress MLCs from the region in recent years. Considering his contribution to the party, the decision to replace him by his brother and Small Scale Industries Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi in the Siddaramaiah ministry has reportedly upset him. And Mr Ramesh’s statement that he would now have to give up his Yamakanamardi constituency for their other brother, Lakhan and contest from Raichur instead has only succeeded in rubbing salt into his words, say sources.
The growing rivalry between the brothers is another reason why Mr Satish is considering join JD(S), say party insiders. While the former minister asserted recently that there was no question of him moving to Raichur and he would contest from Yamakanamardi to win a third term, he is not giving anything else away. Should he join Mr Kumaraswamy the Jarkiholi family will have one member each in the Congress, BJP and JD(S)
