4 brothers, but different parties

By GURURAJ PANIYADI

Belgaum, May 11: The Jarkiholis of Gokak, a family which has scaled dizzy heights in politics, is now set to achieve a rare feat. Four brothers of the family are contesting the elections and not all are contesting as candidates from the same party. Sibling rivalry has split this rich and powerful family but the brothers are certain play a vital role in state politics if all of them win.

Three of the brothers are with the Congress, one with the JD(S) and the other with the BJP. The Jarkiholis can be sure of a berth in the ministry whichever party wins.

Two Jarkiholi brothers are former MLAs and one an MLC. The fourth is making his debut in the elections and is contesting against a brother. The rivalry between the siblings has intensified in recent years leaving political circles confused. Admitting differences in the family, former minister Balachandra Jarkiholi told this newspaper, "It is true that all is not well and we brothers have parted ways. I don’t think anything can unite us again. There is a wall of mistrust between us."

Except for Mr Lakhan Jarkiholi, the youngest of the five brothers, all the others are in the fray. Former MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi (Congress) and Balachandra Jarkiholi (JDS) are contesting from the Gokak and Arbhavi constituencies respectively. Mr Bhimshi Jarkiholi has been fielded by the BJP against Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi while MLC Satish Jarkiholi is contesting on Congress ticket from Yamkanmardi.

Luck has always favoured the Jarkiholi brothers and they have rarely lost elections, whether it be to the Assembly, council or sugar factory bodies. Balachandra is currently chairman of the Ghataprabha Cooperative Sugar Factory while Satish heads Satish Sugars, Gokak. Ramesh is chairman of Gokak Sugars. Ramesh, Balachandra and Satish are old-timers in politics and have a strong following.

Ramesh has an edge over debutante Bhimshi in Gokak. As for Balachandra, he seems to be heading to an easy victory in Arbhavi. The going is not so easy for Satish who is pitted against strong rivals in the newly-carved Yamkanmardi constituency.

Sources say Satish, the eldest of the Jarkiholi brothers, is none too happy that his brothers have entered politics and are now taking on each other. Satish was textiles minister while Balachandra has handled the social welfare portfolio. Recently, Balachandra and Satish, both former ministers, made slanderous allegations against each other. Whether the rivalry is shallow or runs deep will be known only when the poll results are here. Sibling rivalry notwithstanding, what has drawn people’s attention is the financial clout of the family which owns three big sugar factories in Gokak. Their foray into politics has helped them get close to the public in the area in the last one decade.