Ramesh Jarkiholi says he and members backing him would decide soon on quitting party
Bengaluru: Rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi Wednesday said he along with legislators who are with him would discuss and decide on resigning from the party soon.
Jarkiholi said he was only "technically" in the Congress and was firm on his stand to quit the party.
The former minister said his resignation was delayed because those with him suggested on quitting in bulk. "I have said what I had to yesterday and today, I willnot say anything more in front of media. I'm firm on my stand..
you will have to wait for my result..
you will get good news in a few days," Jarkiholi told reporters.
Stating that he had intended to resign earlier but decided to wait as his well-wishers and other legislators suggested about quitting in "bulk", he said "I'm only technically in Congress.... it is a group decision, not mine alone.
I will have to hear others also, we will all sit together today andtomorrow and take a decision," he said without divulging howmany are with him and any specific date.
Asked if any attempt was being made to destabilise the Congress-JDS coalition government, he said "I can't say anything as I'm still in Congress, I cannot speak against Congress."
Earlier too, Ramesh Jarkiholi had threatened to resign as Congress MLA, but had gone incommunicado after that.
Speaking to reporters at Belagavi earlier, Jarkiholi said he was heading for Bengaluru and would resign Wednesday itself, as he accused his brother and Forest minister Satish Jarkiholi of "cheating".
The Gokak MLA also said he would contest the by-election that will be necessitated by his resignation from the assembly segment itself, but would opt for Yemkanmardi, currently represented by Satish during the next election.
Amid speculation about the longevity of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the State once the Lok Sabha poll results are announced on May 23, Ramesh Jarkiholi had on Tuesday indicated about quitting Congress.
Accused of hobnobbing with the BJP, and not attending cabinet and party meetings, he was dropped in the rejig of the H D Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition cabinet in December last yearthat saw induction of eight new ministers, including Satish.
Ramesh Jarkiholi has been claiming the support of a sizeable chunk of party MLAs and had come under the party's scanner over reports that the BJP was trying to tap him to remove the Kumaraswamy government.
Jarkiholi had even camped in Mumbai along with some Congress MLAs in January pushing the state into a political turmoil as it had threatened the government, and did not attend the budget session initially, for which Congress leadership has moved a disqualification motion against him andthree other MLAs before the speaker.
He also did not campaign for Congress candidates during Lok sabha polls and even stayed away from Rahul Gandhi's events. Hitting out at brother Satish, RameshJarkiholi accused him of starting the dissidence activities, while he was happy as Minister.
"I was cheated by Satish Jarkiholi and no one else, he (Satish) came home and cried saying don't sit thinking you have become Minister, we will face setback politically if we don't act now.
He was the one who started it, but now is projecting himself as loyal Congress man. Because of such people, the Congress has come to such a situation today....hecheated me and became the Minister," he added.
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Punjab CM Mann calls twin blasts 'minor', blames BJP for creating atmosphere of fear
Chandigarh (PTI): Terming the twin blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar "minor", Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday targeted the BJP and said this was how the party was preparing for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
Two blasts occurred on Tuesday night, one outside the Border Security Force's Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar at around 8 pm and another near the army cantonment area in Khasa, Amritsar, at around 11 pm.
The BJP wants to create an atmosphere of fear, Mann told reporters, adding that the party wanted to scare people into getting their votes. "BJP is a communal party. The assembly elections are over in West Bengal, and they (BJP) have said that now it is Punjab's turn, which indicates that these minor blasts are part of their preparation for the Punjab assembly elections," the chief minister said, adding that investigations are underway.
Mann further alleged that the BJP always sought to gain votes by inciting violence and intimidating the public.
"I urge the BJP to cease such tactics. Punjab is a peaceful state. We are the people who always seek the welfare of the world," Mann said while speaking to reporters in Anandpur Sahib after starting his four-day 'Shukrana Yatra' for the implementation of the anti-sacrilege law.
He claimed that the BJP had a penchant for stirring up trouble in states where it is contesting elections.
Noting the significance of the newly enacted anti-sacrilege law -- the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026 -- Mann stated that it counteracts the BJP's efforts to provoke conflict between communities.
"With the anti-sacrilege law in place, no one will engage in sacrilegious acts at their behest," he said, further alleging that the law contradicts the BJP's agenda.
Mann expressed concern regarding the BJP's tactics, saying, "The BJP claims it is ready for Punjab. Are they trying to scare people with these minor blasts to secure votes? Punjab has already experienced dark times in the past."
"This is the BJP's style of working. In every state where it contests elections, it instigates riots, carries out minor blasts, and divides people based on religion and caste. This demonstrates their preparation for Punjab," he further alleged.
Mann also noted that Punjab often plays a significant role whenever the country faces a crisis. He emphasised that peace, along with law and order, will be maintained at all costs.
Later, in a statement, Mann alleged that the bomb blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar were part of a deliberate strategy to destabilise the state after the passage of the anti-sacrilege law.
Drawing parallels with West Bengal, Mann alleged that the BJP "thrives on creating communal tension, panic and unrest in poll-bound states to polarise voters," but asserted that peace-loving Punjabis would never allow the saffron party to destroy the hard-earned harmony of Punjab for electoral gains.
He further alleged that the BJP was trying to create "unrest" in Punjab on the pattern of West Bengal ahead of elections, but the people of Punjab are politically aware and united against such conspiracies.
"Violence, divisiveness and communal tension are the patent of the BJP and an integral part of the saffron party's politics. BJP is trying to incite violence and fear in Punjab on the pattern of Bengal to win the ensuing polls. However, BJP's nefarious designs will never succeed in Punjab because anything can germinate on the fertile land of Punjab, but seeds of hatred can never grow here," the chief minister claimed.
Condemning the blasts in the state, Mann alleged such incidents reflected the BJP's "brand of politics", aimed at spreading terror and panic to polarise society and garner votes. "This divisive politics is being pursued by the BJP in every poll-bound state for electoral gains," he alleged.
Mann said those responsible for the blasts would soon be exposed and brought to justice. "All those involved in this heinous crime against humanity will be brought to book and put behind bars very soon. Strict punishment will be ensured for these people because the Punjab Government has zero tolerance for any activity that threatens the peace, safety and integrity of Punjab," he said.
In response to a question about the West Bengal assembly elections, Mann mentioned Mamata Banerjee's complaints regarding the looting of the electoral mandate. "The Election Commission is also facing accusations. It should clarify its stance, ensuring it is not one-sided," Mann added.
