While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday made efforts to convince Satish Jarkiholi to withdraw his resignation, State Congress president G Parameshwara took exception to the minister insisting on a change of portfolio.
Replying to a question by the media here, Siddaramaiah said he was unaware of the reasons behind the resignation.
Jarkiholi had recently sought a change in portfolio. The request will be considered during the reshuffle of the Cabinet, said Siddaramaiah.
“He is a sensitive person....I have spoken to him and have asked him to meet me in Bengaluru. I will convince him to withdraw his resignation,” the chief minister added.
In Belagavi, the minister said on Wednesday afternoon that he would meet the chief minister late in the evening, but it was later said that he had cancelled the air ticket.
Parameshwara, however, criticised Jarkiholi saying that it was not proper on the part of a minister to demand a particular portfolio.
“It is not correct to insist on a specific portfolio. The chief minister would have allocated portfolios depending on the capability. Problems, if any, can be taken up with the chief minister,” the State Congress chief said.
Jarkiholi has sent a copy of the resignation letter to Parameshwara and expressed his wish to involve himself in party work. If the minister refuses to withdraw the resignation, his service will be utilised for party work, the State Congress chief added.
Meanwhile, Jarkiholi maintained that he had put in his papers and that he had no differences with the chief minister. At one point, Jarkiholi said that he would stand by his decision to move out of the Cabinet and devote more time to social activities and the party.
Kempaiah taken to task
The attempt by retired police officer and advisor to the Home Minister, M Kempaiah to convince Jarkiholi to withdraw his resignation did not go down well with the minister.
Kempaiah, along with Belagavi Superintendent of Police Ravikanthegowda, held talks for an hour with the minister at his residence on Wednesday.
Sources said that Jarkiholi took Kempaiah to task for coming to his residence to persuade him to withdraw his resignation. The minister reportedly told Kempaiah not to play the role of a middleman as he would like to talk directly with the chief minister.
Congress MP Prakash Hukkeri, too, met the minister to pacify him, while Ramesh Jarkiholi insisted that his brother will reverse the decision.
DH News Service
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