Belagavi: Jarkiholi brothers squabble over closure of 130-year-old textile mill

Belagavi: The closure of the 130-year-old Gokak Mills has created more trouble in the Jarkiholi clan with brothers, Ramesh and Bhimshi taking out rallies against each other with thousands of their supporters and bringing traffic to a halt in many areas of Belagavi on Wednesday.

A four-time MLA, Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi claims the group led by his younger brother, Bhimshi, is trying to tarnish his image in the constituency by blaming him for the mill’s closure. One of oldest textile mills in the country, Gokak Mills recently shut shop in the face of the ongoing agitation by its employees led by Mr Bhimshi Jarkiholi.

A close associate of Mr Ramesh, Dr Rajendra Sannakki claims there is a conspiracy afoot to destroy his political career and urged the government to give him the sole responsibility of running the mill.

Several political leaders,  who came out in  support of the senior Jarkiholi brother during the rally demanded a high-level inquiry into the death of an agitator during a dharna led by the younger before the Deputy Commissioner's office a few days ago.

But Mr Bhimshi says his only intention is to make sure the mill resumes operation. Claiming that attempts are being made to mislead the employees of the mill, he asserts that he will not give up until the  management meets their demands.