Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi disclosed that he contributed ₹1.3 crore toward the construction of the Belagavi District Congress Committee (BDCC) office at Sangolli Rayanna Circle in the city. Speaking to the media at the Circuit House on Wednesday, he addressed claims made by Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who had earlier stated that he contributed ₹3 crore to the project.
Ramesh explained that he paid ₹27 lakh for acquiring land from the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC). “The land was priced at ₹54 lakh, to be paid in two installments. I paid the first installment when I was an MLA and later contributed ₹1 crore after becoming a minister,” he said. He also noted that other Congress MLAs and office bearers in Belagavi contributed to the project.
He alleged corruption in the construction of the BDCC office and suggested that District (Rural) President Vinay Navalagatti is aware of the details. “Navalagatti should disclose who benefited from the funds collected for the building,” he added, indirectly accusing Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
The controversy follows a recent Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru, where Satish Jarkiholi opposed Deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s statement crediting Laxmi Hebbalkar for the project. Satish termed it an insult to those who contributed.
Ramesh praised Satish for speaking up during the CLP meeting. “I commend Satish for stating the facts. He should continue doing straightforward politics. When I was in Congress, I ensured DK Shivakumar stayed out of Belagavi politics,” he said.
On opposition leader R. Ashok’s remark that the current government would collapse starting from Belagavi, Ramesh claimed, “This government is nearing its end and could fall anytime.” He also criticized former CM B.S. Yediyurappa’s state tour, questioning its purpose. “Yediyurappa should clarify if the tour is to secure the party president post for his son Vijayendra. People trust Yediyurappa, but not his son, who has failed as the state party president,” he asserted.
