Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Sep 20: Ostensibly buckling under pressure exerted by Jarkiholi brothers and their mounting threat of staging a rebellion, the coalition government in the state has met one of their demands i.e. transfer of key IAS officers.

On Wednesday September 19, the government issued orders transferring Belagavi district deputy commissioner, Ziaullah, and posted Dr S B Bommanahalli in his place. At the same time, Mahantesh Beelagi, who was deputy project director of North Karnataka Urban Sector Investment Programme which functions under the department of urban development, was transferred to Bidar district as zilla panchayat chief executive officer. No one has been posted to the vacancy created by his transfer.

Ramesh Jarkiholi (L) and Satish Jarkiholi 

It may be recalled that Jarkiholi brothers had openly expressed their displeasure at transfers and political appointments being made without consulting them in their home district. They had blamed D K Shivakumar for meddling with the political affairs in Belagavi district. They had warned of going their own way if their wishes were not met. Even after former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, meet the brothers in an effort to assuage their feelings, they remained unhappy after which chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, met them and held dialogue, it is gathered.

Jarkiholi brothers are now claiming that they had placed certain demands to protect the interests of scheduled tribes and Ahinda groups. Ramesh Jarkiholi said that activists fighting for rights of Valmiki, scheduled tribes and other backward classes are in touch with him for carrying on fight for better rights.