Rebel Cong leader Ramesh Jarkiholi likely to quit as MLA to seek re-election from BJP

Bengaluru, Apr 22: A day after “rebel” Congressman Ramesh Jarkiholi held a meeting with his supporters and asked them not to campaign for the Congress, his brother and Karnataka Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi met party workers in Gokak on Sunday to counter the perceived damage.

He also hinted that Mr. Ramesh might resign from his Assembly membership and seek re-election as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.

“The Lok Sabha elections are semi-final for us. Finals will be held six months later. We are more interested in the final matches,” Mr. Satish said.

The day also saw around 100 BJP workers joining the Congress in the meeting.

Speaking to reporters later, he said: “The Gokak MLA is no longer with us. There are reports that he held a meeting of his supporters at his home on Saturday and asked them to support the BJP. We will not approach him to support the Congress. Instead, Lakhan Jarkiholi [the other brother] will lead the Congress in Gokak in future.”

He told mediapersons that there was bound to be some confusion among loyal Congress workers in Gokak. “But we will make sure the party does not suffer here,” he said.

To a question, he said that the Congress Legislature Party president had urged Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar to take action against Mr. Ramesh. “But I feel taking action against him or not is meaningless,” Mr. Satish said.