The Ramesh Katti faction suffered a humiliating defeat in the Belgaum Hukkeri Cooperative Society elections, leaving Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s family shocked. During the victory celebrations, Katti’s supporters reportedly pelted stones at the car carrying Satish Jarkiholi, causing a scene of chaos.
In the elections, Katti’s faction won all 15 seats, dealing a major blow to the Jarkiholi brothers. Minister Satish Jarkiholi had treated the polls as a matter of prestige, and the results embarrassed his camp. The clashes occurred near Bapuji College, where supporters of both sides confronted each other before police intervened.
Despite backing from MLAs Ramesh, Balachandra, and MLC Lakhan, Satish’s panel failed to secure a single seat. Former Congress MLA AB Patil, JDS leader Maruti Ashtagi, and BJP leader Basavaraj Hundri supported Ramesh Katti’s faction, which ultimately won due to strong voter sentiment for self-respect.
Ramesh Katti also alleged the existence of a drug mafia in Gokak, Belagavi, claiming the Jarkiholi brothers were involved in “hafta” collection. He accused them of using threats and hooliganism to control land and resources and vowed to fight against the system.
Meanwhile, Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar’s brother, Chennaraja Hattiholi, won the post of director at Malaprabha Sugar Factory, reclaiming family control over the institution. Minister Hebbalkar said voters had trusted their candidates, and they aim to restore the factory’s former glory.
