Congress workers and followers of Satish Jarkiholi felicitating the Public Works Minister and MLA Asif (Raju) Sait at the Congress office in Belagavi on Monday.
| Photo Credit: P.K. BADIGER
Minister Satish Jarkiholi has denied that there are differences between him and the former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“We have always had excellent relationship and we continue to have it. Reports of differences between us are far from truth. Some vested interests are trying to create a rift between us and our followers by posting messages on social media. We have filed a police complaint against them and the officers are investigating,” Mr. Jarkiholi said in Belagavi on Monday.
He was speaking after being felicitated by workers in the Congress office.
To a query, he said that it is not the first time that vested interests tried to target leaders from deprived communities. He said that it is natural for opponents to spread misinformation whenever they get a chance. “But we should grow as leaders, despite all such attempts,” he said.
“The main reason for G. Parameshwar being made the Deputy Chief Minister is due to the efforts and support of Mr. Siddaramaiah. The former Chief Minister always supports his followers and loyalists. He has always worked hard to give his supporters, including me and Dr. Parameshwar, suitable positions in the party and government,” he said in response to a query.
“Competition for party posts among leaders does not mean there is ill will between them. Now that Dr. Parameshwar has become the Deputy Chief Minister, we should celebrate it. He is among our senior leaders and we should be happy about it,” he said.
“It is true that I was an aspirant for the post of KPCC president. Some of my followers wanted me to become the Deputy Chief Minister. But I became a Minister and my old portfolio is continued. In fact, the party considered me as among the top five or six members of the Cabinet whenever we came to power. I am happy and not upset. However, there are always opportunities for getting promoted as KPCC chief or Deputy Chief Minister or other positions. Opportunities have not ended. Let us wait and see. Good things happen to those who wait,” he said.
“B.K. Hariprasad, who has been chosen as KPCC chief, is a veteran leader and committed to the party ideology. We will all accept his leadership and work with him,” he said.
“Earlier, there was no rule of One Person, One Post. That is why, leaders like D.K. Shivakumar were given multiple posts. But now the rule is in force and that is why I was made only a Minister. We should respect the party’s decision. The party has treated us better than our expectations,” he said.
He said that there is no need to attach much importance to a statement made earlier by MLC and his younger brother Lakhan Jarkiholi that the Congress will lose heavily if Mr. Siddaramaiah is removed from the post of Chief Minister.
“The statement is his personal opinion and details or clarifications have to be sought from him. But then, he is not the only one to make them; several BJP leaders have also said that,” he said.
He said that there is no vacuum in AHINDA leadership in the State. “There are several leaders in the organisation. It is a social organisation and not political. It is not just about grabbing power. Those who work with committed and integrity towards preserving and strengthening the ideology will be accepted by the masses as AHINDA leaders. There is no dearth of such leaders,” he said.
He said that Belagavi is sure to get another Minister. “I have discussed with the senior leaders and they have assured us of that. Belagavi is a large district and the political leadership here cannot be ignored. Also, it is difficult to administer the State with only 14 Ministers. There needs to be an expansion soon,” Mr. Jarkiholi said.
Published – June 08, 2026 07:49 pm IST
