Satish Jarkiholi says he is happy with his portfolio

"I never asked for any specific portfolio from the party high command or the Chief Minister. I am happy that they have continued my old portfolio of Public works department", Minister Satish Jarkiholi said in Gokak on Sunday (June 7, 2026).

“We have done significantly well in PWD for three years. Now that the CM and the high command has entrusted me with the Public Works Department, I shall strive hard to serve the people of the State, as before," he told reporters.

To a query, he said he was completely satisfied with the successful completion of many important road, bridge and infrastructure development works across the State in the Public Works Department during the last three years. "I am happy that I have got the same department again now. This will help in completing the projects started earlier," he said happily.

"A lot has been done, but there is still a lot of work to be done. We are confident that we will strengthen the department further and do good work for the development of the State's infrastructure," he said.

"I don't think that Belagavi district has been treated unfairly in the allocation of ministerial posts. The second list is still pending, and the district is sure to get another ministerial ", he said.

"The Cabinet expansion or allocation process has not been completed yet. Legislators or followers of leaders and people need not worry about this. Our district will definitely get priority in the next list of the cabinet. Belagavi is a large district and nobody can ignore it. We will get appropriate representation in the coming days and the high command will consider all communities and regions equally," he said

"I think I did not get the post of KPCC president due to the ‘one person, one post’ rule prevalent in the party and not for any other reason," he responded to a query. “There is a strict rule in the party that 'one person can hold only one post'. Since I am already a minister, I did not get that responsibility. I am not upset with this decision at all. Everyone should abide by the party's rules and regulations," he said.

He dismissed as baseless rumours, reports that there was a rift between him and MLA Ashok Pattan. "We have been together since the beginning. There is no discontent between the two leaders following the distribution of ministerial posts and political developments in the district," he said.

"There is no difference between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and me. Social media posts suggesting this were put up by mischief mongers. We will seek legal action against them, he said.

To a question on giving representation to the Muslim community in the Cabinet, he said that the party high command would take an appropriate decision in this regard and ensure that no community was treated unfairly.

He said the agitation by Kannada organisations against the delay by Belagavi city corporation to pass the resolution on 'Belagavi being an integral part of Karnataka,' had come to his notice. "I will discuss the matter with the authorities and see that they take necessary action," he said.