Bengaluru: Former minister, Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarakiholi skipped the Congress election meeting on the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency, on Thursday evening. Amid his absence, the party failed to arrive at any consensus on the party candidate and decided to recommend three names to the AICC.
The meeting held at KPCC office was attended by former CM Siddaramaiah, DCM G Parameshwar, and others. As the meeting begun, Siddaramaiah asked where is Ramesh? When others informed that he is not present, Siddaramaiah expressed his doubt of winning in the constituency without his support. Later in the meeting, it was decided to recommend three names for the constituency, including Lakshmi Hebbalkar.
According to the sources, Ramesh is bargaining with the BJP high command on Ballari Lok Sabha seat to his relative Devendrappa. “Ramesh himself is interested to contest from the Chikkodi constituency on BJP ticket,” allege Congress leaders.
However, Ramesh Jarakiholi is maintaining a distance from the media.