Jarkiholi supporters ‘heckle’ Surjewala

The controversy over the DK Shivakumar holding two positions — state party chief as well as deputy chief minister — has refused to die down with party in-charge Randeep Surjewala being heckled by supporters of minister Satish Jarkiholi, who has raised the issue of Shivakumar holding two posts.

- Coovercolly Indresh

BENGALURU:

Surjewala was questioned by supporters of Jarkiholi during a preliminary meeting for the centenary celebrations of the 1924 Belgaum Congress session. As per party leaders, when Surjewala was holding a meeting with the Congress block committee president and the Guarantee Committee office bearers, a worker stood up and interrupted him, leading to an argument between the two.

The confrontation was because of a credit war between PWD minister Jarkiholi and women and children welfare minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar over the issue of Belagavi’s development.

Some Congress workers expressed their anger over construction of the Congress office, claiming that Jarkiholi was responsible for the project. Surjewala, however, insisted that they were simply trying to appease the minister.

The situation took a dramatic turn when KPCC member Aisha Sanadi intervened, saying, “Satish Jarkiholi is our pride, we will give our lives for him.” She directly targeted Surjewala, accusing him of creating unnecessary controversy.