For a few days now, Karnataka Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, is saying that he will tender his resignation. But now, some of his trusted friends have done a volte-face, distancing themselves from him at a time when he needed them the most. The trusted friends include B Nagendra, Congress MLA from Ballari Rural, Mahesh Kummatahalli, Congress MLA from Athani (Belagavi) and Srimanth Patil, Congress MLA from Kagwad
Bengaluru: The issue of Karnataka Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi’s resignation is taking newer turns and twists every passing day. On Wednesday, Ramesh had said that he would resign from the Congress. But on Thursday (April 25), his brother and forest minister Satish Jarkiholi lampooned him saying he is a man of U-turns.
But the issue is far, far from over. As Gokak MLA Ramesh mulls tendering his resignation, many MLAs, considered close to his camp, are allegedly turning against him. First in the list is B Nagendra, Ballari Rural Congress MLA.
When thoughts of resignation came across his mind, Ramesh always looked upon Nagendra as his all-weather friend. But now, sources say Nagendra wants to distance himself due to an old issue. It is said Nagendra wanted his brother Venkatesh Prasad to get an MP ticket from the BJP for the Ballari by-election held last year. But it is said Ramesh played truant and ensured Devendrappa, his close friend in getting a ticket. As his wish, he succeeded in ensuring Devendrappa having the last laugh.
Now, sources say Nagendra wants to use this development against Ramesh.
Sources add that Ramesh is trying his best to contact Nagendra over phone, but all his endeavours have turned futile.
Another trusted friend of Ramesh is Mahesh Kummatahalli, the Congress MLA from Athani. He too has turned against Ramesh. He said he would remain with the Congress at all costs.
Srimanth Patil, Congress MLA from Kagwad is another aide whom Ramesh trusts. In fact, he was in Bengaluru on Thursday. This even gave fillip to the thoughts that he would be with Ramesh as he tenders his resignation. But in what is an apparent U-turn he told the media that he was in the city to meet deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and water resources minister DK Shivakumar to discuss irrigation-related issues with them.
On the other hand, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao has hit out at the BJP for the crisis in Congress.
“If Ramesh has made up his mind, we can’t force him. I have not spoken to him. I had tried to talk to him earlier, but he was unavailable. Operation Lotus will fall flat post May 23,” Rao said.
Not just Rao, even minister Priyank Kharge hit out at Ramesh and asked him to clarify the issue with the high command.
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