Jarkiholi resolves not to campaign for Congress

Congress MLA from Gokak, Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is miffed with the party leadership after he was dropped from the Kumaraswamy ministry, has decided not to campaign for coalition candidates from Belgaum and Chikkodi parliamentary constituencies, sources close to the legislator said.

Ramesh Jarkiholi had, on Wednesday, convened a meeting of the CMC members at his residence.

The ‘disgruntled’ MLA was not seen in open since the election schedule was announced.

According to the sources, the legislator told the meeting, “I had struggled a lot for years in building a strong base for the Congress party in Belagavi district. But I did not get a suitable post or position in the party or government. I have decided not to campaign for the party in the Lok Sabha elections. Voters of my constituency (Gokak) are matured. They know how to cast their votes judiciously.”

Ramesh Jarkiholi was pained by the developments during the PLD Bank elections last year. Jarkiholi decided to stay away from the party activities after he was stripped of the district in-charge responsibility.

Sources close to Jarkiholi said, the Congress legislator would join the BJP after the Lok Sabha elections.

Action against Gokak MLA

Meanwhile, Minister Satish Jarkiholi told reporters on Wednesday that a complaint had been lodged against Ramesh with KPCC recommending disciplinary action against him.

“Following the complaints by the local Congress leaders that Ramesh Jarkiholi is working for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha election, the DCC has written to the KPCC recommending disciplinary action against the legislator. The PCC will soon take firm action on the MLA for anti-party activities.”