BELAGAVI: Though political dynasties haven’t had too long an innings in the border district of Belagavi, time and again several families had mastered the art of winning elections. As the influence of one family has waned in the region, another with equal status and power has always emerged.
The Jarkiholi clan
With three MLAs elected from two different parties and another one is in the waiting list of probable elected representatives, the clout of Jarkiholi family is hard to ignore in Belagavi district.With multiple sugar factories owned by the family in the Northern sugar belt of the State, the family has wielded significant influence in the region over the past two decades or so.
Though their father Laxmanrao Jarkiholi, a successful businessman who made it from rags to riches, was friends with all parties, three of his five children are legislators. Of the five, the first plunge into politics was Satish Jarkiholi - second among the five. Satish, who is among the Siddaramaiah loyalists, quit JD(S) along with Siddaramaiah, and has been elected from Yamakanmardi constituency since 2008.
He was MLC for two terms from 1997, before contesting from a Congress ticket in Yamakanmardi. Ramesh Jarkiholi, the eldest of the five is a MLA from Gokak and was first elected to the Assembly in 1999. Ramesh currently holds the portfolio of Small Scale Industries Minister and is also the district-in-charge minister.
While the first two brothers are with the ruling party, Balachandra Jarkiholi joined BJP from JD(S) in 2008. He was a two-time MLA from JD(S) at Arabhavi constituency, before shifting loyalties and contesting from a BJP ticket in 2013. Bhimshi Jarkiholi, who runs educational institutions in Gokak, had contested against his brother with a BJP ticket in Gokak and had lost the elections. He hasn’t been involved in active politics lately.
Youngest of the Jarkiholi brothers, Lakhan Jarkiholi too is ready to enter politics. Though there were rumours that he would join the BJP and contest against Satish from Yamakanmardi, they were laid to rest after Lakhan dismissed them recently.However, he is expected to contest elections soon, with rumours that the family is pitching him as candidate for Lok Sabha elections next year.
The Kattis
Apart from the Jarkiholi’s, Katti brothers too actively involved in politics. While Umesh Katti is a six-time MLA and a former cabinet minister, his brother Ramesh Katti was an MP for a term, before losing against Prakash Hukkeri in 2014. While Umesh is set to contest from Hukkeri, Ramesh’s name too is making rounds.
Pattans
Ashok Pattan is the third MLA from his house and also a second generation MLA. Ashok represents Ramdurg constituency, a constituency once represented by his father Mahadevappa Pattan, a freedom fighter, as an independent candidate. Ten years later, his mother Sharadamma was elected as an MLA.
The Koujalgis
Mahantesh Koujalgi, MLC and ex-MLA also hails from a family of politicians. His father Shivanand Koujalgi was a minister with the State government and was a four time MLA from Koujalgi. While his father was with Janata Dal and later JD(S), Mahantesh is currently with the Congress.
Father-son duo
Chikkodi-Sadalaga constituency is being represented by either the father or his son, for the past three elections. Congress leader Prakash Hukkeri, who currently is the MP from Chikkodi constituency, was MLA for Chikkodi-Sadalaga for two terms after being elected in 2013. However, the senior Hukkeri contested and won the MP elections held in 2014, paving way for his Ganesh to contest from a Congress ticket from the MLA segment.
Jolles
While other families in active politics are either brothers of father-son’s, Jolle’s are a unique pair in which both wife and husband are being touted as candidates in the upcoming elections. While Shashikala Jolle is the sitting BJP MLA from Nippani, her husband Annasaheb Jolle’s name is considered among the aspirants for the BJP ticket from Chikkodi.