Congress MLC withdraws from district cooperative bank polls in Belagavi

Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi who was hopeful of getting elected as director of Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank will not contest the cooperative elections, district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi announced in Belagavi on Thursday.

“We have arrived at this decision to protect the interests of farmers of the district. This has been conveyed to Mr. Hattiholi. I met him recently and convinced him that this is the best possible decision for the elections. Mr. Hattiholi, who is the younger brother of Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, has already started preparations for his elections from Khanapur. But he has decided to withdraw now. A decision about our candidate from Khanapur will be decided later,” the Minister said.

He said that the cooperative bank polls are not political and that they are being fought only to ensure that a pro-farmer group gains power.

Mr. Hattiholi later told reporters that he has accepted the decision in the interest of farmers. This seems to be the most practical decision in the situation. “Mr. Jarkiholi has assured me of help in my future endeavours.” he added.

“This does not mean I will move away from Khanapur taluk. I will continue to work for the people of my taluk,” he said.

The cooperative bank polls are scheduled for the second week of October. They are not being fought on party lines but between groups that claim allegiance to various leaders in the district. The main fight seems to be between a faction led by the former MP Anna Saheb Jolle and BJP MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi and another group led by Mr. Jarkiholi.