BENGALURU: Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, who switches sided from the Congress to the BJP along with 17 others in 2019 and was instrumental in bringing the incumbent government power after the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government, is now against in the spotlight after ensuring that his close associates have got the tickets to contest the upcoming Assembly election. This has led to heated debate within the BJP ever since the party announced its first two lists of candidates.
Ramesh Jarkiholi managed to get tickets to five of his close aides in Athani, Maski, Kagawad, Khanapur and Ramdurg. This has led to speculation in party circles if the BJP will use him for Operation Lotus if it fails to get a majority to form a government.
Jarkiholi also slammed Laxman Savadi who switched over to the Congress on Friday, calling him as ‘Peede’ (scourge) at a BJP convention in Chikkodi on Friday. Jarkiholi said Savadi was a big problem for the BJP and that problem is now gone. Jarkiholi further said the BJP had made Savadi a deputy chief minister, but he was not loyal to the party. “He left today, it is good for us. He should have thought of it earlier”, Jarkiholi remarked.
“I remained in the party though I had no ministerial post. The Congress is very happy with Savadi’s entry. He did nothing for Athani in one year, he is not a good person”, Jarkiholi said.
Seeking the support of the people of Athani, he assured them, “I will stand by the people in their difficult times and people should give us the strength to defeat Savadi in this polls. He must not get power and henceforth, I will be staying in Athani. The BJP leaders have reposed complete faith in me”, he claimed.