Satish Jarkiholi loyalists quit ZP posts

Belagavi: In a blow for the Congress, at least 55 elected representatives from various institutions in Belagavi district announced their decision to resign from their posts in protest against the denial of a ministerial berth to AICC Secretary Satish Jarkiholi despite the huge popularity he enjoys in the north Karnataka region and in Belagavi in particular. 

Supporters of the former minister had resorted to violence in Belagavi in the past two days with several of them arrested. Those who resigned from their posts include 15 ZP members including the vice-president, 28 taluk panchayat members, three APMC members and members of Congress block units.

At a joint press conference in Belagavi, the representatives said they had sent their letters of resignation to the KPCC and would send the same letters to the government authorities concerned within a day or two. Recalling the contributions of Jarkiholi to the growth of the party and the victory of its candidates in various elections in the past, the representatives accused the party top leadership of doing injustice to him.

One of the upset leaders, Gangadhar Tavagmath said all representatives will also resign from their party membership soon after holding a meeting with Jarkiholi. According to the representatives, more members from different institutions will resign in the coming days in support of their leader.