Former minister and BJP leader Ramesh Jarkiholi said that he was contemplating resigning from the Assembly of Karnataka. He was disappointed with the party, but would not reveal the details.
“I had discussed this only with my close circle of friends and followers. I don’t know how the news got leaked to the media. But following advice from friends, well-wishers and senior leaders, I have dropped the idea,” he told reporters in Belagavi on Friday on arrival at Sambra airport following a quick visit to Mysuru.
He would take a final decision and speak about this issue at length after 8-10 days.
“There are some technical problems and legal obstacles, which cannot be discussed in public. This had nothing to do with the continuation of B.S. Yediyurappa as Chief Minster. As I have said earlier, Mr. Yediyurappa will not only complete his term, but also lead the party in the next Assembly polls,” he said. “If my opponents think that my family will be wiped out (in politics) if I am forced to resign, then they are wrong. I have my brothers and children. They are as powerful as tigers. I am not worried. I will fight,” he said.
“BJP leaders in the Centre and the State, and the Sangh Parivar, have treated me with great affection. However, some people have opposed me. But I will not reveal their names,” he said.
He had left for Mysuru around noon and was back around 3.30 p.m.
He maintained that this flying visit had nothing to do with politics. “I am not a man to play politics in religious places like a mutt,” he said.
He said that he had gone to Mysuru to meet Suttur Mutt seer Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji, as his mother had passed away recently.
“I did not go to Mysuru to play politics, or to seek reentry in the cabinet,” he said. “There is no politics in the Suttur Mutt. That is for sure. The seer blesses leaders of all parties who go to see him. I did not go to seek his blessings to become a minister. I am not such a petty person. I am a leader who works for the people. God has given me enough power to change governments. I will make my followers ministers,” he said.
However, his visit to Mumbai was related to politics, he clarified. “I don’t want to lie about it. It is true that I went there (to Mumbai) to meet my godfather Devendra Fadnavis and discuss political issues, including my disappointment (with the party),” he said.
He had decided to dislodge the Congress government on the date of the PLD Bank polls on September 7, 2018. “That evening, I met Mr. Fadnavis in Pune and discussed future plans. I had made some predictions that day, which have come true. I went to Mumbai to remind him of those things. He has assured me of all support.”
He was accompanied by younger brother Lakhan Jarkiholi and brother-in-law Ambirao Patil.
