Ramesh says Satish instigated him to rebel

Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi said on Wednesday that it was his brother, Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi, had instigated him to rebel against the Congress party and availed the political benefit out of it.

"I was a minister then, but went by what Satish had said. Rest of the political developments followed," Ramesh said.

Speaking to reporters at the airport here on his way to Bengaluru here on Wednesday, Jarkiholi said, he will taken a decision on resigning as MLA after reaching the state capital and it could be today (Wednesday) also. Talks will be held with the leaders supporting him.

Ramesh said, on quitting as MLA, the next byelection to Gokak constituency will be contested by him. He would, in future, leave the seat for younger sibling Lakhan.

"I will contest the next Assembly election from the Yamakanamaradi seat and will take Satish head-on," he said.

BJP MLA Govind Karjol told reporters that the MLAs of Congress and JD(S) were quitting their respective parties as they were not happy with the coalition.

"We do not know how many MLAs will remain with the coalition till May 23. If Ramesh Jarkiholi quits Congress and joins BJP, we are ready to welcome him," he said.