Belagavi, 28 Aug

The politically powerful Jarkiholi and Hebbalkar families have joined hands to retain power for the upcoming Belagavi District Cooperative Credit (BDCC) bank administrative committee elections, calling a temporary truce in a heated rivalry.

Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi, minister Laxmi Hebbalkar’s brother, announced in Belagavi on Thursday that he would not contest the October election.

"I am prepared to make any sacrifice to maintain the party's power in the district," Hattiholi said, adding that minister Satish Jarkiholi would take decision about the matter in days to come. "I'll abide by the decision.”

Hattiholi, hailing from Khanapur taluk, had planned to contest from the taluk's PKPS and had prepared for nearly four months.

Satish released a video, saying, “After a long discussion, Hattiholi agreed not to contest the election and an official announcement will be made in a few days.”

Election to BDCC bank plays a vital role in the district politics. For example, former BJP MP Ramesh Katti and Congress MLA Lakshan Savadi, representing Athani taluk, have joined hands against Jarkiholis.

It may be recalled that BJP legislator Ramesh, the eldest of the Gokak based Jarkiholi family, had earlier defeated Mrunal Hebbalkar, Laxmi’s son, in the last Parliament election in the Belagavi constituency.

Earlier, there was a major fight between Ramesh and Laxmi over electing president and vice president to PLD bank of Belagavi.

Current Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar supported Laxmi, and in a public meeting held in Pant Balekundri village in Belagavi taluk, described the Jarkiholis as "Duryodhana of Mahabharatha".

In response, Ramesh, then a Congress member, said that the Belagavi unit would never allow outsiders to enter into district politics and took the matter to the party High Command. However, the High Command remained mum.

Angered, Ramesh, with 17 others, resigned as legislators and from the party, causing the collapse of the HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in 2019.