Jarkiholi likely to withdraw resignation today

BELAGAVI/BENGALURU: Excise minister Satish L Jarkiholi, who created a flutter in the Congress circles by resigning from the cabinet, is likely to rescind his decision after meeting chief minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Pacifying the minister, the CM said in Mandya on Wednesday that his demands would be met. Later, Siddaramaiah, who was in Karkala in Udupi district for the Mastakabhisheka, said he would not accept Jarkiholi’s resignation.
The conciliatory meeting on Thursday is expected to result in Siddaramaiah and Jarkiholi showing up together at the cabinet meeting later in the day.
“I don’t want to embarrass the party and Siddaramaiah with my actions. My actions should not damage the Congress party by sending wrong signals,’’ Jarkiholi told reporters at Belagavi (North) MLA Firoz Sait’s house. However, sources close to the minister said everything hinges on how Siddaramaiah manages to convince Jarkiholi to continue in the cabinet.
Jarkiholi faxed his resignation to the CM’s office on Tuesday as he was reportedly miffed at being marginalized and his demand for a change of portfolio to social welfare or sports had not been considered.
Jarkiholi, who hails from the Valmiki (ST) community, had been a pillar of strength to Siddaramaiah, since the latter walked out of the JD(S) in 2006, by organizing Ahinda meetings. He was now upset that his skills were not being appreciated by the CM.
Another reason for Jarkiholi’s unhappiness is said to be the plans to earmark a certain percentage of new CL-7 (hotel and boarding) liquor licence for SC/STs. Besides, he rarely held meetings of the excise department, which is the second-highest revenue-earning department for the state, prompting the CM to step in and do the job.
Though Siddaramaiah is not likely to change Jarkiholi’s portfolio overnight, he may persuade him to bide time till April-May, when the Congress government completes two years in office and the CM plans to overhaul the ministry. If he convinces Jarkiholi to withdraw the resignation, it will be another victory for Siddarmaiah, who has been under pressure of a simmering discontent within the party.
The CM’s style of functioning where he is always amidst people, with no room for privacy for ministers, legislators or bureaucrats to discuss certain matters, has upset many in the party. The brusque nature of Siddaramaiah has not gone down well with some seniors in the party.
All in a day
Satish L Jarkiholi held marathon sessions with his elder brother, Congress MLA Ramesh L Jarkiholi; ministers H C Mahadevappa and D K Shivakumar; Chikkodi MP Prakash Hukkeri and former IPS officer Kempaiah, adviser to home minister K J George on Wednesday.
Kempaiah apparently flew to Belagavi on Wednesday morning to make a sulking Jarkiholi, who reportedly was avoiding the CM’s calls, speak to him from his (Kempaiah) mobile phone.
The CM said in Mandya that the demands would be met. Later, he said he would not accept the minister’s resignation.
“I don’t want to embarrass the party and Siddaramaiah with my actions,’’ Jarkiholi told reporters at Belagavi (North) MLA Firoz Sait’s house.