Municipal administration minister Balachandra Jarkiholi who is backing Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, has stepped up the offensive against the rival group headed by former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa and has surprisingly demanded the immediate convening of a legislature party meeting as demanded by the BSY faction.
According to him, the meeting will help highlight several vital issues including the release of funds to MLAs belonging to a particular group. “All important portfolios are held by one particular group (BSY group) of MLAs and some of them are holding three to four portfolios for almost four years now. We can certainly discuss these issues at the meeting and expose the MLAs who got more funds,” he said.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Jarkiholi said: “We are demanding a legislature party meeting as it becomes important to tell everyone why Sadananda Gowda should not be replaced as he has never indulged in caste politics and has provided effective governance''. “Works running into more than Rs 10,000 crore have been taken up by the irrigation department (handled by BSY supporter Basavaraj Bommai). We have details about how much farmers have benefitted and who got the tenders to carry out these works. Details of works taken up by the PWD (a portfolio held by BSY loyalist C.M. Udasi) have been collected by us. The legislative party meeting should discuss all these issues,” he quipped.
According to sources close to Mr Jarkiholi, the minister has decided to join JD(S) along with other MLAs of his group in the event of the BJP replacing Sadananda Gowda. Jarkiholi and his MLAs have already held discussions with JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy and will submit their resignations to the Assembly Speaker if Mr Gowda is removed, sources added. During his week-long tour of Belgaum district, Mr Jarkiholi met most of his close associates and discussed his future plans.