Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 12: Raju Kage, a BJP leader, who is sure that he would not be fielded by the BJP from Kagwad constituency in Belagavi district as the party reportedly wants to field disqualified Congress MLA Shrimant Patil subject to the Supreme Court giving its nod, has decided to change his loyalty. Kage, who met D K Shivakumar and other senior Congress leaders here on Sunday, announced that he has mentally distanced himself from the BJP and would join the Congress on Wednesday. He stressed that he would join the Congress, irrespective what the BJP offers him to convince him to stay back.

From Gokak, it is said that defeated BJP candidate, Ashok Poojary, is being fielded by the Congress. However, former minister and influential leader from Belagavi, Satish Jarkiholi, is infuriated at this development. It is said that Jarkiholi is stubborn on not admitting Ashok Poojari into the party at any cost. He also is insisting that Lakahn Jarkiholi, his brother, should be fielded against Ramesh Jarkiholi in Gokak constituency, and no one else. As he came to know that the party is ignoring his demand, he absented himself from the meeting of party observers.

Lakhan and Satish Jarkiholi have been working hard for ensuring the victory of the Congress in Gokak constituency since the last two months. Satish has been bitterly critical of his elder brother, Ramesh Jarkiholi.

Raju Kage said that chief minister, B S Yediyurappa, had promised to give him a suitable position like chairman of corporation or board in the coming days. He said he had agreed for the offer, but now he has been asked to make sure that Shrimant Patil gets elected. He said he is angry at this specific point.