Hubballi: With former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi keeping all political leaders on tenterhooks after being dropped from the Cabinet, Opposition BJP leaders continued to be optimistic that the coalition government would collapse at any moment.
The latest to predict doomsday for the coalition was former minister and Hukkeri BJP MLA Umesh Katti who claimed the BJP will form the government within a week saying around 15 disgruntled legislators of the Congress and JD(S) are in touch with his party. Refusing to reveal the names of these legislators, he said in Belagavi that many MLAs of the two ruling parties are keen to join the BJP as they are upset over not being given ministerial berths or other positions.
Meanwhile, newly inducted minister Satish Jarkiholi said he will hold a discussion with his brother Ramesh to persuade him not to desert the Congress. Rubbishing the statement of BJP leaders that the government will fall soon, he said the Congress top brass too will speak to his brother to pacify him.
“No legislator will quit the Congress. The state government is stable and will complete its full five-year term. I have not yet contacted my brother Ramesh, I will resolve the problem after discussing it with him”, said Satish.
Political circles in Belagavi are abuzz with reports that Ramesh Jarkiholi is merely resorting to pressure tactics to make sure Congress leaders allot a prominent portfolio to Satish. Earlier, Ramesh had said that he will resign from the Congress in four days.
Meanwhile, addressing press persons here on Wednesday while travelling to Belagavi to attend the preparatory meeting for the Parliamentary elections in Belagavi, State BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa said he has no plans to meet Ramesh Jarkiholi or any other disgruntled legislator of the ruling parties. Time will decide when the BJP government should be formed, he said adding that the main priority now is to win more Lok Sabha seats for the party.
The former CM also reacted to the directive given by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to police officials to ‘mercilessly kill’ murderers of a JD(S) worker in Mandya and said it was wrong. “This amounts to misuse of the police department and support for goondas. He did not apologize on an earlier occasion too when he made remarks against a woman farmer leader. He has given a false assurance to waive off farmer loans as banks continue to issue notices to them asking them to repay loans”, Yeddyurappa said.
