Bengaluru: In a surprise move, Excise Minister and CM Siddaramaiah’s close confidante Satish L Jarkiholi resigned from the cabinet on Tuesday, January 27 citing that he required time to devote to social service.
However, according to sources, Jarkiholi was never happy with the Excise portfolio and instead he wanted to be in charge of the ministry of either Sports and Youth Affairs or Social Welfare.
Jarkiholi faxed his resignation letter to Siddaramaiah as the latter was in Tirupathi. He hails from the Valmiki community and sources close to Jarkiholi said he was upset with the CM for not recognizing his work for the community and uniting the SC/STs in the state, which have moved away from the Congress.
It may be recalled that Jarkiholi had resigned from the ministry and walked away with Siddaramaiah when the latter quit JD(S) in 2006. For his loyalty, Siddaramaiah after becoming CM in 2013, gave him the Excise portfolio along with making him the District In-Charge Minister of Belagavi.
Presently, Sports and Youth Services portfolio is held by Minister Abhay Chandra Jain and Jarkiholi’s alleged desire to secure Social Welfare portfolio may not be fulfilled as incumbent Minister H Anjaneya, is credited with doing justice to his position.
