'Upset' Jarkiholi quits Cabinet

Upset over not getting a portfolio of his choice, Excise Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday tendered his resignation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Jarkiholi, however, said he has no differences with the chief minister and pledged to work for strengthening the party.

“I am not after power or money. I do not aspire anything from the government. For the next three and a half years, Siddaramaiah will be our chief minister and I will work with him. I have also spoken to state Congress chief Parameshwara and have decided to continue in party building efforts,” Jarkiholi told a press conference at his residence in Gokak, Belagavi district.

Sources said the resignation letter was sent via fax to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in Bengaluru. CMO officials confirmed having received the letter, which had not quoted any reason for the resignation.

Siddaramaiah, who returned to Bengaluru on Tuesday evening after attending a function in Vijayapura and Tirupati, tried to get in touch with Jarkiholi, but he was not available.

Once a staunch follower of Siddaramaiah, Jarkiholi recently expressed displeasure over the excise portfolio and said he had asked for a change so he could serve the people better.

Jarkiholi was keen on the social welfare department which is being held by H Anjaneya, a close aide of Siddaramaiah.

Jarkiholi, who is into sugar business, had said sugar factories were not here to do charity work. The statement embarrassed the State government.

Jarkiholi has been with Siddaramaiah through the thick and thin and he was one of the leaders who financed the “Ahinda” movement spearheaded by Siddaramaiah in 2005.