While on the one hand, sources close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hinted of “efforts to reach out to Satish Jarkiholi”, speaking to a private television channel, Mr. Jarkiholi said: “Under no circumstances will I withdraw my resignation, but will be with the Chief Minister like a disciplined soldier.”
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He had also categorically stated that he “will not accept any other portfolio and would continue as an MLA”.
Sources attributed Mr. Jarkiholi’s decision to “unhappiness over his Cabinet berth” and request for a “portfolio with greater interaction with people”.
‘Reluctance’ on the Mr. Siddaramaiah’s part to concede to this request is seen as a reason for the resignation.
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However, sources in the Chief Minster’s office said “efforts made by the Chief Minister to contact Mr. Jarkiholi failed” and added that “the Chief Minister is likely to talk to him before taking a further decision.”
They also pointed out that the Excise Department’s reported inability to mop up Rs. 14,400-crore revenue fixed in the 2014 budget had also resulted in friction with the Chief Minister.
Mr. Jarkiholi, an MLA from Yamakanamaradi constituency in Belgavi district, belongs to a politically powerful family in the region and was with Mr. Siddaramaiah since they were together in the undivided Janata Dal. He is known to have been backing the Chief Minister “strongly” through his present tenure.
His resignation now has also raised questions over the demands by his brothers — Ramesh of the Congress from Gokak and Balachandra of the BJP from Arabhavi — who were demanding creation of a separate Gokak district.
This is not the first instance that Mr. Jarkiholi has resigned from the Ministry. He had quit as Textile Minister in 2005 when Mr. Siddaramaiah was the Finance Minister, apparently protesting against inadequate allocation in the budget to his Ministry.
I will be with the Chief Minister like a disciplined soldier
Satish Jarkiholi