He almost quit the Congress after he was dropped from the Siddaramaiah cabinet a year ago, but was persuaded to stay back after he was made AICC Secretary. While the rumour mill had it that he would be denied ticket, Satish Jarkiholi has managed to get it for Yamakanmardi seat from where he is confident of winning for the third consecutive time. He spoke to Naushad Bijapur about his preparations for the election.
Why did the Congress take so long to release its first list of its candidates?
The party usually releases its list of candidates for most assembly elections only a month ahead. Names of the candidates were finalised this time too a month before going to polls in the state, but the meeting (of the AICC Election Committee) in Delhi stretched a little longer this time.
It was reported in a section of the Press that you had some differences with CM Siddaramaiah over selection of candidates. Is this true?
Yes, I did have differences with the CM and other top leaders of the party over the list of candidates. However, the party leadership has been able to take some good decisions to iron out our differences. I and most of our party leaders are satisfied with the first list.
A few months ago, you were said to be switching to JD(S) and your brother Lakhan was readying to contest from Yamakanamardi. Comment.
I have issued statements clarifying that I will not quit the Congress and join JD(S).
Why did AICC not take the recent release of a fake list of Congress candidates seriously?
Some people with vested interests tried to create confusion in the party by resorting to such tactics. The party would never take such attempts seriously.
Why is the party hesitant to field D.B. Inamdar, who has won six elections from Kittur already?
The party delayed to announce its candidate for Kittur as a relative of Inamdar, Babasaheb Patil, is also in the race for ticket from there. It will announce its candidate for Kittur within the next three days.
How do you see the coming elections? Will Congress retain power?
The Congress party is in a strong position compared to other parties. It should get a simple majority considering its performance over the past five years.
