Ramesh Jarkiholi says he does not accept results of BDCC Bank polls

BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi created a controversy on Tuesday saying in Athani that he will not accept the results of the Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank elections.

“Congress MLA Laxman Savadi, may have won the BDCC Bank polls. He may have become the bank director from Athani after defeating Mahesh Kumthalli. But not for me. Mr. Kumthalli is the BDCC Bank director from Athani. I will work through him. I will give crop loans to farmers who are recommended by Mr. Kumthalli and I will transfer officers in the bank branches and primary agriculture cooperative societies through him,’’ he said, while addressing a campaign rally for the Krishna Cooperative Sugar Factory in Athani.

He also used an abusive slur against Mr. Savadi. He said that if he failed to keep this promise, he will force his son Amarnath Jarkiholi to resign from the bank board. Ramesh Jarkiholi is not a member of the board.

Responding to Mr. Savadi’s statement that he is not an aspirant for the post of BDCC Bank president, Ramesh Jarkiholi said it is a lie. “Mr. Savadi is after power. If there is an opportunity to becoming a Gram Panchayat president, he will grab it. He will come and fall at our feet, requesting us to make him the panchayat president. Don’t believe in his lies,” he said.

He said that he has not meddled in the BDCC Bank affairs, as his younger brother Balachandra Jarkiholi has advised him against it. “He asked me to keep quiet till the bank elections were over and I did so. However, now that the elections are over, I will make sure that we will run it as per our wish, especially about matters concerning Athani taluk,” Ramesh Jarkiholi said.

“We left the Congress for various reasons. Mr. Savadi left the BJP to join the Congress. We are rejoicing that he left. He was a bad omen for us. Had he remained in the BJP, he could have become a big leader. Now, however, if he tries to return to the BJP, I will block him. I have become powerful enough in the BJP to stop such leaders from coming back,” he said.

He said that Mr. Savadi and his family members have had a monopoly in the Krishna Sugar Factory for over 30 years and that needs to be broken. “Also, they have ruined the factory. They have taken loans of over ₹10 crore from the BDCC Bank and not repaid it. By inefficient management, they have made sure that the factory suffered losses. That is why, we have formed the self-respect farmers panel to oppose him. If you vote for us and defeat the Savadis, then, I will go to Amit Shah, who is also Union Cooperative Minister, get a zero interest loan and develop this factory,” Ramesh Jarkiholi said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Savadi said that such criticism does not affect him. He told reporters in Athani, without naming Ramesh Jarkiholi, that some leaders are speaking against him out of desperation.

“Jealousy makes them say such things. But I do not bother about it. The people are with me. Using abusive terms against others shows one’s culture. They may not be cultured, but I am. My parents brought me up with values. I will not respond to those who abuse me. I will ignore them. If start speaking like them, people will think I have lost mental balance. The people of Athani are intelligent and sensitive. If he has any shame, he should never set foot in Athani,” Mr. Savadi said.