Ministers Jarkiholi, Sharanprakash missing from CM's meeting; give different reasons for absence

Belagavi: Public Works Department and District Incharge Minister Satish Jarkiholi said that he could not attend breakfast meeting called by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru due to ill-health.

Jarkiholi told reporters here Saturday that he was unwell for the past 3-4 days and has been resting.

"Health come first and politics later. Hence, I did not travel for meeting called by the CM, in spite if having received the invitation on Friday," he said.

I was not aware of the developments at the meeting. I shall head to Bengaluru on Sunday and will get apprised of the details, he added.

Meanwhile, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil said that he also could not attend the breakfast as he was not invited and is visiting Belagavi.

Patil told reporters Saturday that there were no differences of opinion in Congress. He denied to comment on tenure of CM Siddaramaiah as it was not in the public interests.

Patil added, even statement of minister Priyank Kharge saying that "he was ready to become the chief minister" has been misquoted.

"Priyank was compelled to give his reaction, but the words used by him and those quoted were different," Patil clarified.