To put breaks on the growth of Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar's popularity and control in the government and the Congress, it is said that Siddaramaiah has been working out on a strategy and the Primary Land Develoment (PLD) bank election came as a blessing in disguise.
With Jarkiholis of Belgavi holding the Karnataka government and Congress party to ransom to get their things done, it is now being widely discussed among political circles that the entire coup has been planned by Jarkiholi's patron and former Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah.
Like Siddaramaiah, the former minister in Siddaraiah government, Satish Jarkiholi does not believe in 'Temple Run' and calls himself an atheist. Being a staunch Siddaramaiah follower, Satish missed the bus in Kumaraswamy-headed coalition government. And ever since the new Cabinet was formed, Siddaramaiah is trying hard to place his loyalist into the cabinet and Satish Jarkiholi is one among them.
At present, it looks like the Cabinet is loaded with south Karnataka-based leaders especially from old Musuru region. And the Vokkaliga community to which both HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar belong to, are allegedly seen dominating.
To put breaks on the growth of Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar's popularity and control in the government and the Congress, it is said that Siddaramaiah has been working out on a strategy and the Primary Land Develoment (PLD) bank election came as a blessing in disguise.
DK Shivakumar wanted to allegedly wield control over Belagavi politics through his trusted party worker and MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar by placing candidates favouring them in top PLD bank post. The Jarkiholi brothers entered the scene few weeks ago and warned State Congress leaders and the government of a possible revolt.
"It looks like, on the pretext of a foreign tour, Siddaramaiah is staging this rebellion through the Jarkiholis. The dissident was open since day one of the formation of the government. There was no response from Kumaraswamy despite Siddaramaiah writing many letter to him on development matters of his assembly segment. Now, the coalition is blaming the BJP of horse trading. Does that mean Congress and JDS are breeding horses?" questioned S Prakash, spokesperson, BJP.
Dismissing such dissidence and Siddaramaiah's plan to hold government and Congress to ransom through the Jarkihokis, Congress Working President, Eshwar Khandre said, Siddaramaiah is a politician who believes in "say it on your face" policy. The differences in the party are minor and are sorted out.
"The BJP is spreading false rumours about the State government. I have met Jarkiholi brothers during PLD elections. And there is no question of Jarkiholis quitting Congress as they know the BJP will be facing defeat in the coming days at the Centre and switching to BJP will hamper their image. The differences are sorted out," stressed Khandre.
It is rumoured that Jarkiholi brothers Ramesh and Satish are in touch with State BJP leaders like Sriramulu and BS Yeddiyurappa to switch sides. Along with Jarkiholis, Bellari MLA Anand Singh, Congress leader Nagendra, who were earlier with BJP, are reportedly in touch with the opposition party in Karnataka. Yesterday, another MLA, Y Sudhakar from Chikkaballapur, met Ramesh Jarkiholi and hinted at a possible change in the State political scenario.
In a week's time, after Siddaramaiah returns from his trip abroad, there will be more clarity on the future of the coalition government in Karnataka.
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