Karnataka: Jarkiholi brothers prepare for a fierce fraternal bout in Gokak

BELAGAVI: Since his exit from the Congress, Ramesh Jarkiholi has been sparring with his younger brother Satish, and the latter has not held back in this verbal duel either.
This fraternal bout has expanded to include the third sibling, Lakhan Jarkiholi, with the polling booths serving as the collective battlefield. The battle lines between the brothers have been drawn with Ramesh filing nomination papers as the BJP’s candidate from Gokak in the bypoll on Monday, while Lakhan took the plunge, submitting his papers as a candidate for the Congress.
Preparing for the contingency of Lakhan’s nomination papers being rejected, Satish also submitted papers as a prospective candidate from Gokak. Satish is the incumbent MLA for Yamakanmaradi.
Gokak town appeared like a fort of the divided Jarkiholi brothers, with supporters of the two factions cramming all the thoroughfares and carrying out a procession. The slogans that rent the air, and the many crackers that were burst by supporters of both the parties have set the tone for the ensuing electoral battle.
However, the fight for Gokak is unlikely to be reduced to a contest between two Jarkiholis. Denied the BJP ticket for the bypoll, Ashok Pujari has nevertheless thrown his hat into the ring, as the candidate of the JD(S), turning the battle for Gokak into a triangular contest. Pujari, accompanied by former chief minister and senior JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, lashed out at the Jarkiholi brothers, whom he accused of being dictatorial. Kumaraswamy, meanwhile, sought the support of the people of Gokak to ensure his party candidate’s victory. The former CM also made a thinly-veiled jibe at Ramesh.
Scores of supporters accompanied Ramesh as he proceeded towards the Gokak taluk office at the head of a procession. Ramesh, addressing a rally at NSF Ground, sounded a confident note ahead of the elections. Criticising his brothers, the former minister said, “I will win the bypoll from Gokak.” Ramesh was also critical of former CM Kumaraswamy. Ramesh was accompanied by Union minister of state for railways Suresh Angadi, president of Karnataka Milk Factory Balachandra Jarkiholi, MLAs Umesh Katti, AS Patil Nadahalli and Abhay Patil.
On the other hand, Ramesh’s younger brother Lakhan offered prayers at the Kolavi Hanumant temple before heading for the tahsildar’s office. A garland, weighing three quintals and strung with apples, was offered to Lakhan, who like his brother Ramesh, filed his nomination to the accompaniment of hundreds of supporters. Lakhan, meanwhile, said that he was unaware of Satish having filed his papers. “But we will definitely ensure the defeat of the BJP’s candidate in Gokak,” said Lakhan.
Congress candidate seeks deputy CM’s blessings
After filing his nomination papers as the Congress’ nominee in Athani, Gajanan Mangasuli touched the feet of BJP leader and deputy CM Laxman Savadi in supplication, leaving those who had gathered at the tahsildar’s office stunned. That the BJP’s candidate Mahesh Kumathalli was present at the venue during Mangasuli’s gesture made it more incredulous. Meanwhile, Kumathalli too submitted his nomination papers as the nominee for the BJP from Athani. The disqualified MLA filed his papers in the presence of ministers CC Patil and Jagadish Shettar.
Vinayak Mathapati of the Karnataka Janata Paksha was the surprise entrant to the fight in Athani.
In Kagwad, Raju Kage, accompanied by former home minister MB Patil, submitted his nomination papers, while Srimanth Patil formalised his candidature from the BJP for the seat. Interestingly, candidates for Kagwad too had to formalise their nomination in the Athani tahsildar’s office, which resulted in the town being painted in hues of various political parties. Vivek Shetty was the other candidate who filed his papers as an Independent on Monday.