Hubballi: Did he really mean it or not? Just two weeks after his brother and Gokak Congress MLA (now disqualified) Ramesh Jarkiholi pulled off a coup of sorts to dethrone the JD(S)-Congress coalition government with the help of more than a dozen rebel MLAs, his brother and Arabhavi BJP legislator Balachandra Jarkiholi virtually threatened to topple the Yediyurappa government if it did not come to the rescue of the flood-hit in his constituency!
Balachandra Jarkiholi made the explosive statement during a visit to villages in Arabhavi to meet flood victims. Asserting that it was his responsibility to build new houses for the flood victims, he warned that the state government will have to face dire consequences if it failed to come to their rescue.
After his statement went viral, the BJP leader made a quick 'U' turn by the evening maintaining that some people were involved in a misinformation campaign against him. He also claimed that his 'toppling' statement was a mere slip of the tongue. "The video should not be taken seriously. My opponents are making use of it to target me. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has been working round the clock to provide relief to the flood victims", Balachandra said trying to make amends.
His brother and Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi and the other disqualified legislators in Belagavi have started visiting the flood affected villages nearly a week after the deluge. Disqualified Athani MLA Mahesh Kumatalli had to face the wrath of people of Satti village near Hipparagi reservoir who gheraoed him for staying away from the constituency for so long. The police had to intervene to restrain them.
