Mysuru, Sep 25 (PTI): Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Friday backed Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to continue as chief minister if the Congress returns to power in the state after the 2028 Assembly elections, saying he was in no hurry to stake a claim to the top post.
Jarkiholi, who had earlier expressed his ambition to become chief minister in 2028, said he could wait for his turn as he had age on his side.
“I had earlier said that I too aspire to become CM in 2028 if I get an opportunity. But DK Shivakumar himself is saying that he will continue as CM. Let him. I will wait; age is on my side,” he told reporters in Mysuru.
Backing Shivakumar, Jarkiholi said the latter was working to bring the Congress back to power and should continue as chief minister if those efforts succeed.
“He is making efforts to bring the Congress back to power. If his efforts bear fruit, why should he not become the Chief Minister?” he said.
His remarks came days after the Enforcement Directorate searched 21 premises linked to Jarkiholi, his family members and associates in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak and Kolkata in connection with a probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act into alleged undisclosed overseas investments, cross-border business links and financial irregularities. The agency said it seized Indian currency of about Rs 3.3 crore and foreign currency worth around Rs 15 lakh.
Jarkiholi said he would appear before the agency and respond to its queries if he received a notice. He also alleged that the searches were politically motivated.
The minister also dismissed speculation of differences with former chief minister Siddaramaiah, saying, “We are on good terms.”
Describing Siddaramaiah as the “captain” of their political team, Jarkiholi said, “Even now, he is our captain and I am the vice-captain. There should be no doubt about this.” His comments came amid speculation about competing power centres within the state Congress.
On his absence from a recent Bengaluru convention, Jarkiholi said it was a gathering of backward communities and not an AHINDA convention, and rejected suggestions of differences within the social coalition.
Referring to a visit by Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra after the ED searches, Jarkiholi said it was not necessary for every member of the former chief minister’s family to visit him.
“It is enough if one member of a family comes. One should not expect everyone in the family to come,” he said.
On reports of a financial crisis in the Karnataka government, Jarkiholi said communications from the Finance Department regarding adherence to budgetary allocations were routine measures aimed at maintaining financial discipline and should not be interpreted as the government being bankrupt.
Mysuru, Sep 25: Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Friday backed Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to continue as chief minister if the Congress returns to power in the state after the 2028 Assembly elections, saying he was in no hurry to stake a claim to the top post.
Jarkiholi, who had earlier expressed his ambition to become chief minister in 2028, said he could wait for his turn as he had age on his side.
“I had earlier said that I too aspire to become CM in 2028 if I get an opportunity. But DK Shivakumar himself is saying that he will continue as CM. Let him. I will wait; age is on my side,” he told reporters in Mysuru.
Backing Shivakumar, Jarkiholi said the latter was working to bring the Congress back to power and should continue as chief minister if those efforts succeed.
“He is making efforts to bring the Congress back to power. If his efforts bear fruit, why should he not become the Chief Minister?” he said.
His remarks came days after the Enforcement Directorate searched 21 premises linked to Jarkiholi, his family members and associates in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak and Kolkata in connection with a probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act into alleged undisclosed overseas investments, cross-border business links and financial irregularities. The agency said it seized Indian currency of about Rs 3.3 crore and foreign currency worth around Rs 15 lakh.
Jarkiholi said he would appear before the agency and respond to its queries if he received a notice. He also alleged that the searches were politically motivated.
The minister also dismissed speculation of differences with former chief minister Siddaramaiah, saying, “We are on good terms.”
Describing Siddaramaiah as the “captain” of their political team, Jarkiholi said, “Even now, he is our captain and I am the vice-captain. There should be no doubt about this.” His comments came amid speculation about competing power centres within the state Congress.
On his absence from a recent Bengaluru convention, Jarkiholi said it was a gathering of backward communities and not an AHINDA convention, and rejected suggestions of differences within the social coalition.
Referring to a visit by Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra after the ED searches, Jarkiholi said it was not necessary for every member of the former chief minister’s family to visit him.
“It is enough if one member of a family comes. One should not expect everyone in the family to come,” he said.
On reports of a financial crisis in the Karnataka government, Jarkiholi said communications from the Finance Department regarding adherence to budgetary allocations were routine measures aimed at maintaining financial discipline and should not be interpreted as the government being bankrupt.
