The resignation of Excise Minister Satish L. Jarkiholi, though yet to be accepted by the Chief Minister, brings back to focus the demand for a Cabinet reshuffle and induction of new Ministers by several State Congress leaders, including Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara.
While in August last year, Chief Minster Siddaramaiah had stated that “the remaining four slots in the Cabinet will be filled after the byelection results are announced”, he did not do so. Again in October, the Chief Minister promised he would consider the issue after appointments to boards and corporations, but no changes have been made.
Differences apparent
And, this is despite repeated demands and open criticism from some senior Congress leaders like Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa.
Most of the “disgruntlement” was reportedly from leaders or Ministers, who had differences with the Chief Minister, but Mr. Jharkiholi’s case is different, as he was seen as a “loyalist” of Mr. Siddaramiah.
Further, the Jarkiholi brothers — Satish, Ramesh and Balachandra — have an “iron grip” over politics in the region, and are also known to have huge interests in the sugar lobby as owners of sugar mills themselves.
Given this backdrop, Mr. Jarkiholi’s resignation could only add pressure on Mr. Siddaramaiah to address the “disgruntlement” within different sections of the State Congress and his own Cabinet.
The resignation also assumes significance in view of the impending visit of AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Digivijaya Singh here on Friday to chair a meeting of the KPCC, DCC and party office-bearers as part of the party’s rejuvenation exercise.
Resignation assumes significance as AICC general secretary Digivijaya Singh is arriving on Friday
The Jarkiholi brothers have an ‘iron grip’
over politics in the region
