Belagavi’s political landscape is witnessing a shift, with Lingayat consolidation emerging against the Jarkiholi family’s dominance. The trend was evident in the Hukkeri Rural Electric Cooperative Society (HRECS) polls, where the Katti family swept all 15 director seats, handing the Jarkiholis a major blow. Although a cooperative election, the contest had the flavor of an assembly battle, drawing statewide focus. For the Kattis, it was a fight for relevance; for the Jarkiholis, a matter of prestige.
The result highlighted unprecedented Lingayat unity; leaders and activists across parties backed the Kattis. While Belagavi has long been a Lingayat bastion, the Jarkiholis have consolidated power in recent years, controlling three MLA seats, an MP, and an MLC, with the next generation stepping in.
The deaths of Lingayat stalwarts Umesh Katti and Suresh Angadi had created a vacuum, enabling the Jarkiholis to expand further. Lingayat unease deepened in 2021 when Lakhan Jarkiholi, as an independent, defeated BJP’s Mahantesh Kavatagimath in the MLC polls. Since then, senior Lingayat leaders have been strategising, including a convention at Kanerimath three months ago. The rift was also evident during the Panchamasali agitation for 2A reservation, where the Jarkiholis faced sharp criticism.
In the HRECS elections, senior Panchamasali leaders like Congress MLA Ashok Pattan and MLC Prakash Hukkeri openly backed the Kattis, ensuring a clean sweep. Accepting defeat, Minister Satish Jarkiholi said, “We failed to read the opposition’s strategy and convince voters. All opposition groups united against us. Still, this poll has helped us strengthen our base in Hukkeri.”
