Gokak ‘Sahukar’ knocks on JD(S) doors after BJP rebuff

Shyam Sundar Vattam I NT

Bengaluru: The absence of Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi from the BJP’s Jan Sankalp Yatra in Belagavi district a few days ago has given room to suspicion about the next move of the ‘Sahaukar’ ahead of the crucial 2023 Assembly polls.

Last week, Ramesh had reportedly met former CM and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy at an undisclosed place in Bengaluru to work out the modalities to join the JD(S). Subsequently, State JDS President C.M.Ibrahim told reporters that the party would welcome Ramesh and give him a ticket to contest from any constituency of his choice in Belagavi district.

It is inevitable for Ramesh to approach the JD(S) since the Congress Party has shut the doors on him after the alleged sex CD involving him had become public. For this, Jarkiholi had to quit his minister’s post too .

Later, Ramesh got a clean chit from the investigative agency but BJP leaders are not ready to take him back into the Council of Ministers as he played a role in defeating BJP candidates in two elections to the Legislative Council from the teachers and local bodies constituencies.

The saffron party had considered Ramesh as an alternative to former union minister late Suresh Angadi but that may not happen now. BJP leaders have distanced themselves from him. After being sidelined, the Gokak MLA has sent feelers to Kumaraswamy and Ibrahim for his entry into the JDS.

Sources told News Trail that Ramesh wants JD(S) leaders to give him the responsibility of Belagavi district in the 2023 Assembly polls. Neither the Congress nor BJP have a strong enough leader to take on Ramesh in Gokak.

There are reports that the Congress and BJP may have a tacit understanding in the Assembly polls to defeat Ramesh and teach him a lesson. Sources also said the only BJP leader who sympathises with Ramesh is MLC A.H.Vishwanath who is seething with anger after the BJP denied him a cabinet berth. So far, Kumaraswamy has not taken any decision on Ramesh’s entry into the party, added sources.