BENGALURU: The resignation of Excise Minister Satish Jarkiholi has brought renewed vigour to the BJP camp and party state president Prahlad Joshi on Wednesday said this was the beginning of the Siddaramaiah government’s fall.
“This is just a beginning. At least another four or five ministers are set to quit the Cabinet. The fall has begun,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, the BJP leadership is keenly following the events unfolding after Jarkiholi’s resignation. According to sources, the party leadership is contemplating making moves to woo Jarkiholi into the party fold if Siddaramaiah fails to assuage him. Jarkiholi has emerged as a major political force in Belagavi district and a strong leader of the Valmiki community (ST).
A prominent BJP MP from Belagavi, who has considerable influence in the national leadership, is likely to be assigned the task of making the initial moves to persuade Jarkiholi, though the latter has said he would devote his time and energy to strengthening the Congress.
Work Out Problems: Srinivas Prasad
Mysuru: Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad on Wednesday appealed to Jarkiholi to withdraw his resignation, and praised the role he played in organising the Congress and bringing the deprived classes into focus.
Instead of taking such a big step, Jarkiholi should to speak to Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G Parameshwara and set right his differences with them, Prasad said.
‘CM or High Command Will Decide’: Home Minister K J George described Jarkiholi as “our minister” and refused to comment on his resignation. George denied that the resignation hinted at a call for a change in leadership or of dissatisfaction within the party.
“There is no change in the government. It is left to the CM or the high command to accept or reject Jarkiholi’s resignation,” he said.