In a resounding victory, the ‘self-respect’ panel, spearheaded by Ramesh Katti and former minister A. B. Patil, swept all 15 seats in the recent elections for the Rural Electric Cooperative Society Limited in Hukkeri, Belagavi district, Karnataka. This win reinforces the Katti family’s long-standing control over the society, which they have led since the 1980s.
Remarkably, this election marked the first time in 25 years that a contest took place, with the previous five polls seeing no opposition.
The September 28 polls culminated in a fiercely battled showdown between the Katti family’s faction and a formidable alliance forged by Anna Saheb Jolle and the influential Jarkiholi brothers.
The Rural Electric Co-operative Society Limited in Hukkeri, Belagavi district, Karnataka, stands as the region’s sole power supply agency within the cooperative sector.
A total of 32 candidates vied for 15 directorship positions. Out of 60,046 eligible voters, an impressive 41,050 cast their ballots. The results were announced in the early hours of September 29.
The election campaign transcended traditional party lines, becoming a clash of prominent personalities. The influential Jarkiholi brothers, with members in both BJP and Congress, actively championed their chosen candidates. Meanwhile, A. B. Patil and BJP MLA Nikhil Katti, Ramesh Katti’s nephew, vigorously campaigned for the opposing faction.
Farmers were seen heading to a polling booth to cast their votes in the elections for the Rural Electric Cooperative Society Limited in Hukkeri, Belagavi district, Karnataka, on September 28, 2025.
Adding further political weight to the campaign, expelled BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi also participated, notably during a book release event honoring former minister Umesh Katti in Hukkeri.
Interestingly, several senior leaders from both parties in Belagavi district, including Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and Congress MLA Laxman Savadi, chose to distance themselves from the heated electoral battle.
As the campaign intensified, core issues came to the forefront. The Jarkiholi brothers launched strong accusations against the Katti family, citing negligence, maladministration, and various irregularities within the society’s operations.
In response, Ramesh Katti consistently highlighted concerns about ‘outsiders’ attempting to meddle in Hukkeri taluk’s affairs.
Adding a complex social dimension, some directors suggested that the elections were evolving into a contentious Lingayat versus non-Lingayat struggle.
Satish Jarkiholi asserted his family’s roots in Jarkiholi village, Hukkeri taluk, despite their current residence in Gokak. Balachandra Jarkiholi explicitly refuted claims of caste discrimination, emphasizing their long-standing cordial relations with the Lingayat community and noting that Mr. Jolle, a key figure in their panel, is a respected Lingayat leader himself.
Following the results, Ramesh Katti told reporters, ‘The Hukkeri voters have clearly expressed their desire for our taluk’s institutions to remain in the hands of insiders, rejecting external interference.’
Katti further alleged that the Jolle-Jarkiholi alliance attempted to intimidate his supporters and the society’s directors, but their efforts proved futile. He added, ‘They need to understand that strong-arm tactics and money don’t always prevail.’
Katti also declared his intention to broaden his political influence, stating, ‘I will tour the district and northern Karnataka to cultivate a strong follower base. I plan to visit Nippani, Gokak, Arabavi, and Yamakanamaradi, where I will mentor young leaders to challenge the incumbent MLAs.’
It’s worth noting that Shashikala Jolle, former minister and wife of Anna Saheb Jolle, represents the Nippani Assembly constituency. The Gokak seat is currently held by Ramesh Jarkiholi, Arabavi by Balachandra Jarkiholi, and Yamakanamaradi by Satish Jarkiholi.
When questioned about his differences with party colleague Anna Saheb Jolle, Ramesh Katti clarified that the disagreement was purely political, not personal. He then offered advice: ‘He should be cautious about his associations. It’s possible that new allies could mislead him, particularly if their interest lies in his resources rather than his character.’
In response to another inquiry, Ramesh Katti affirmed his loyalty, stating that he is a disciplined BJP member committed to following the party high command’s directives.
The rift between the Jolle and Katti families reportedly emerged after the recent Lok Sabha elections, where Anna Saheb Jolle suffered a defeat to Priyanka Jarkiholi, daughter of PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi. Anna Saheb Jolle suspects Ramesh Katti of secretly collaborating with the Congress candidate, viewing it as a betrayal.
This suspicion led him to ally with Balachandra Jarkiholi, orchestrating a defection within the District Central Cooperative Bank that ultimately resulted in Ramesh Katti’s removal from his position.
The elections for the DCC bank are slated for October 16.
Among the three power cooperative agencies registered in Karnataka, the Hukkeri society uniquely remains operational. Established in 1969 under the Karnataka Cooperative Societies Act, it boasts a share capital of ₹8.66 crore and a working capital of ₹122.08 crore.
This society serves as a crucial alternative to HESCOM for power distribution within Hukkeri taluk, providing electricity to approximately 125 villages and 20 hamlets.