Congress guarantees, development worked in the by-election: Jarkiholi

Belagavi: Public Works Department and District Incharge Minister Satish Jarkiholi said that implementation of guarantees and developmental works in the state have resulted in Congress winning the by-election for all the three assembly constituencies of Shiggaon-Savanur, Sandur and Channapatna in the state.

Leading from the front himself, in the Shiggaon-Savanur assembly constituency, Jarkiholi has consolidated himself as a strong party leader. As such, he is poised to emerge as the chief ministerial face in the 2028 assembly election.

Jarkiholi told reporters here on Saturday, "we successfully implemented the five guarantees and also developmental works in the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, cabinet colleagues, Congress party leaders and workers worked hard for victory of candidate Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan. We have won the constituency in which BJP had emerged victorious in the last four elections."

"Shiggaon-Savanur assembly constituency had been witnessing Hindu-Muslim factors and Ahinda voters used to go with BJP. Strategy made by us has led in 70% Ahinda votes shifting towards Congress. Division among the voters on caste lines did not work, while our guarantees and development worked. We worked in the constituency seriously considering it as our election and not for namesake. Pathan has won with big margin which shows works done by us," he stated.

"It was arduous task to win Shiggaon-Savanur assembly constituency as it was earlier represented by former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and his son Bharat was in the fray for the by-election. We worked in the constituency seriously with our own strategy as we had not been able to win it in the last four elections," he said.

Jarkiholi said, BJP did take up MUDA land scam and notices issued by Wakf Board to farmers. In Haveri district among the 650 notices issued, about 500 were of lands owned by Muslims and it did not work for the opposition party.

Myself have been eyeing for the chief ministers post in the 2028 assembly election. This election has consolidated myself as leader who can also get others elected. We also won Chikkodi parliamentary constituency from BJP, he said.

He blamed EVMs for the loss I.N.D.I.A alliance in Maharashtra. It has happened in the past too.

Regarding junior officer being posted as Belagavi City Corporation commissioner and discontent among the officials in the civic body, he said, Urban Development Minister Byrati Suresh has made the transfers as the department was headed by him and its for him to answer.