Ramesh can help BJP gain 16 MLAs: Karjol

Belagavi: Former minister and senior

MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi

can help facilitate the entry of as many as 16 legislators from the Congress to the BJP, said

Belagavi

district minister Govind

Karjol

on Wednesday.The minister’s remarks assume significance in the wake of former chief minister Siddaramaiah’s claims that several BJP and JD(S) MLAs had reached out to him, eager to join the Congress. Karjol, who participated in the Republic Day celebrations in Belagavi on Wednesday, pointed to Ramesh Jarkiholi’s role in helping the BJP stake claim to power. “Besides joining BJP, he ensured other leaders came over to our party. Should the situation arise, he will be seen in action. Ramesh is a powerful politician, and can help the BJP gain 16 MLAs,” Karjol said.Pointing out that not much must be read into the meeting between BJP MLAs and KPCC president DK Shivakumar at the airport in Bengaluru, Karjol added, “Such encounters are common when one is travelling. There was nothing political about that meeting.”Admitting that many leaders in the party were demanding a decision on the reshuffle of the cabinet, Karjol said that chief minister Basavaraj Bommai would have the last word on the exercise.