Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 1: "Congress legislators are not in contact with BJP leaders as alleged. In fact, BJP MLAs are in constant contact with us. They are ready to join our party," said minister for municipalities and local bodies, Ramesh Jarkiholi, in an apparent retort to Yeddyurappa's claim that MLAs from coalition partners are in contact with BJP leadership.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday June 30, Jarkiholi dismissed BJP's claim that Congress legislators are in touch with his party. "Many BJP MLAs are in contact with me. Our high command will decide about their entry into our party," he claimed.

Jarkiholi said that Congress has succeeded in its goal. "The chief minister will present the budget. I had visited Dharmasthala to find out about the health condition of Siddaramaiah who was being treated there. D K Shivakumar's statement that hero worship is wrong and loyalty to the party is supreme, is his personal opinion. The party does not have anyone who is more loyal than me," he stated, hitting out at Shivakumar.

At the same time, Jarkiholi said that the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president should be given for a leader from north Karnataka. At the same time, he hastened to add that the decision taken by the high command of the party would be final and binding.