Satish L. Jarkiholi, who tendered his resignation as Minister for Excise to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, decided to meet the Chief Minister at Bengaluru tomorrow and take a final decision on continuance of office, even as the latter spoke to him on phone yesterday.
Speaking to media persons immediately after over three hours of confabulations with the party legislators and senior leaders at the residence of Feroz N. Sait, MLA here on Wednesday afternoon, he said that he would not withdraw his resignation but was willing to discuss matters with the Chief Minister. He arrived from Gokak to Belagavi at the insistence of party legislators and leaders, who insisted him to withdraw the resignation.
On whether he would withdraw his resignation if his request for change in portfolio was obliged, he said that he did not seek for change of portfolio. In fact, the excise ministry under him was ranked third in performance in the state.
But, he wanted more time to carryout with his social work and reach out to wider sections of the society to serve it better, “I have carried out social work for the last 25 years without being in power. I need more time which I am not able to find as a minister. I will take a final decision after meeting the Chief Minister but ensure that party’s interests are not jeopardised in any manner, even if it meant sacrificing my personal interests,” he said.
While Prakash B. Hukkeri, MP (Chikodi) said the issue was resolved and Mr. Jarkiholi agreed to meet the Chief Minister to sort out differences. The differences were on need for more funds for expeditious development of the district and not personal.
Ramesh L. Jarkiholi, MLA (Gokak), elder brother of Mr. Satish, said the latter was a sensitive person and took the decision to resign in hurry. However, he would withdraw his resignation and continue in the Siddaramaiah government. Among others who pursued Mr. Satish to withdraw his resignation and continue to lead the district were, district Congress president Laxmi R. Hebbalkar and former MLA Shyam B. Ghatage.
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