Satish Jarkiholi has all qualities to be Chief Minister, says M.B. Patil
clarifies CM post not vacant
Bengaluru: Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil has said that Satish Jarkiholi possesses all the qualities required to become Chief Minister of Karnataka but clarified that the Chief Minister’s post is not vacant at present.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday, Patil said he was unaware of the context behind Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s recent statement about Jarkiholi but stressed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s leadership continues to be essential for the Congress.
“This may be the last election for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, but his leadership will continue to be needed in the future,” Patil said.
He added that the Congress cannot go into the next assembly election without Siddaramaiah leading the party. “Satish Jarkiholi is one of our senior leaders. In our party, decisions are not made by individuals like D.K. Shivakumar, M.B. Patil, or Satish Jarkiholi alone — the final decision rests with the party high command,” he stated.
Patil further said that no one can self-declare as Chief Minister. “Consensus among MLAs and the people’s confidence are essential. There are many capable and deserving leaders in Karnataka, but the high command will take the final call,” he noted.
When asked about a possible cabinet reshuffle, Patil said the decision too lies with the party leadership. “Our AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is based in Sadashivanagar, so the high command’s presence is strong in Bengaluru. Allocation of portfolios is the Chief Minister’s prerogative — we can express our preferences, but we cannot demand specific ministries,” he added.
Earlier this week, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and a Member of the Legislative Council, sparked internal debate in the Congress after stating that his father was in the final phase of his political career and that Karnataka now needed a leader with a “progressive and ideological vision.”
Speaking at an event in Belagavi, Yathindra had said that Satish Jarkiholi embodied those qualities and was capable of leading the state with integrity and conviction, a remark widely seen as an indirect endorsement of Jarkiholi as a potential future Chief Minister.
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Ramadan fasting to kickoff from Thursday in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The Holy month of Ramadan will start from Thursday, February 19, announced convener of the State Moon Sighting Committee Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference after the Moon Sighting Committee meeting held at the State Waqf Board office on Cunningham Road in the city on Wednesday evening, he said that there is no information about moon sighting anywhere in the capital Bengaluru, including other districts.
“However, after receiving reports of moon sightings in neighbouring states including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Delhi, it has been decided to start fasting from Thursday,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Maulana Mufti Iftikhar Ahmed Qasmi, Maulana Ejaz Ahmed Nadvi and other members of the ulema.
