Jarkiholi’s Delhi Dash Heats Up Congress Turf War Amid Reshuffle Buzz
Belagavi/New Delhi: As whispers of a cabinet reshuffle and a new KPCC president grow louder, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi has set political circles abuzz with a surprise visit to New Delhi. The timing is telling—just hours after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar landed in the capital—prompting speculation of high-stakes maneuvering within the Karnataka Congress.
Despite Siddaramaiah publicly denying that cabinet changes were on the agenda during his meeting with the party high command on Tuesday, Congress insiders tell a different story. Sources confirm that cabinet restructuring and KPCC leadership changes were indeed discussed behind closed doors. A shake-up, they say, could unfold within the next few weeks.
At the heart of the leadership churn is Jarkiholi, a prominent face from North Karnataka, now seen as the frontrunner for the KPCC president post. He enjoys strong backing from AHINDA heavyweights such as Siddaramaiah, H.C. Mahadevappa, Rajanna, and G. Parameshwara, as well as 15 MLAs from the ST community. Many legislators from North Karnataka are also believed to be firmly in his corner.
However, there’s a catch. Both Jarkiholi and fellow aspirant, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, have reportedly conveyed to the high command that they wish to retain their cabinet berths even if picked to head the KPCC—something party strategists may not favour. The leadership is said to be inclined toward appointing a full-time, non-ministerial KPCC chief who can focus solely on party affairs ahead of crucial local body elections.
Jarkiholi, when asked about the high command’s meetings with the CM and DCM, played it safe. “Only they can answer,” he told reporters, brushing off any connection between his visit and theirs. Yet, sources maintain that the Belagavi strongman did meet with key decision-makers in the party for strategic discussions.
Adding weight to the swirling rumours, Public Enterprises Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur confirmed that the Delhi meetings were “high-voltage” and hinted at imminent reshuffles. Speaking from Yadgir, he stated that portfolio changes are likely, though the final call lies with the CM.
The urgency for a reshuffle may also be driven by public outrage over the recent tragedy during RCB’s victory celebrations in Bengaluru, where a fatal stampede raised serious questions about crowd management and governance. The state government, under pressure to regain public trust, may opt for bold moves.
With political equations shifting fast, the coming weeks are set to define not just the Congress party’s leadership structure—but its narrative heading into the next electoral battle.
