Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s recent visit to Delhi has ignited a flurry of speculation within political circles, especially given the ongoing power struggles over leadership within his party.
Jarkiholi, considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is slated to be in Delhi for the next few days. While he maintains his trip is purely administrative, he didn’t rule out meeting central leaders, leaving room for further interpretation.
This comes shortly after Chief Minister’s son, MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, caused a stir by naming Jarkiholi as his father’s successor. Yathindra later clarified that he meant Jarkiholi would succeed in the ‘Ahinda’ ideology and politics – a Kannada acronym representing minorities, OBCs, and Dalits.
Jarkiholi himself downplayed the political angle, telling reporters on Sunday, ‘The trip is administrative. I might meet central ministers like Nitin Gadkari in a day or two. Whenever I go to Delhi, I meet party leaders, there’s no need to read anything special into it.’
However, inside sources suggest Jarkiholi is actively vying for the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president’s position, currently held by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. His Delhi trip is believed to be connected to this lobbying, though an administrative purpose may also be present.
Adding to the leadership discourse, Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy issued a statement clarifying he is not seeking the Chief Minister’s post. This was prompted by social media pages created by his followers pushing for his candidacy, which he urged them to cease.
When asked about Jarkiholi’s Delhi visit, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar remarked, ‘Leaders often visit Delhi for various reasons. I myself am traveling to Bihar on November 5 and 6 for a meeting with the Union Urban Development Minister and regarding the Cauvery Water Tribunal judgment. These trips shouldn’t be politicized.’