Former Karnataka minister and BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi on Friday confirmed that he has plans to quit the post of MLA and resign from politics soon. He, however, stressed that he will not join Congress even if he is offered the Chief Minister’s post.
While talking to media, the controversial minister said, “I am not interested in becoming a minister again. Devendra Fadnavis is my godfather, that’s why I met him. RSS and BJP gave me respect which I didn’t get in Congress for over 20 years.”
“Congress is a sinking boat, I don’t even think about joining it again,” said Jarkiholi, who led the downfall of the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka in 2019.
Issuing an explanation on his future plans, the former Karnataka minister said, “I had decided to resign from my MLA post. But after suggestions by seniors and well-wishers, I stopped for some time. I can’t speak openly now, I was not happy that’s why I decided (to resign). I will resign from politics but not soon.”
When asked whether he intends to join Congress again, he stressed that BJP and RSS have given him respect and he has no intention of leaving them.
“I won’t go to Congress at any cost, even if it offers me Chief Ministership. Even if I resign, I will remain in BJP. Somebody told me yesterday that they will take me to Congress, I don’t even think about it,” added the BJP MLA.
Earlier, it was reported that Ramesh Jarkiholi is not happy with his situation in BJP and is planning to tender his resignation from the party. His meeting with senior party leader Devendra Fadnavis also fueled the speculation of him leaving the party.
Back on March 2 this year, charges were filed against Jarkiholi for sexually harassing a woman on the pretext of getting her a government job. Video clips emerged purporting to show Jarkiholi getting intimate with the victim.
Although he denied the charges, Jarkiholi resigned as Karnataka minister just before the budget session.
Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sensational sex scandal
