Belagavi, 10 June

Ahead of the State Legislative Council elections, all eyes are on Lakhan Jarkiholi.  The Belagavi-based Jarkiholi family has four legislators in both the Karnataka Legislative Houses and is likely to be the deciding factor for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Legislator Council posts.

The post is currently held by BJP’s Basavaraj Horatti.

The vote of Lakhan, who is the only Independent member of 75-member body, will decide the fate, as the Congress and Opposition BJP and JD(S) have an equal 37 each vote in the council.

The first-time member is expected to follow the advice of his elder brother Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is representing the Gokak constituency for a record seven consecutive term.

Sources close to the Jarkiholi family said that Lakhan always goes with the family’s eldest son, who is likely to not support Congress owing to his personal dissidences with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. "Lakhan never goes against the opinions of Ramesh," the source said.

However, political analyst Ashok Chandargi said that Lakhan’s would vote in favour of the ruling party.

"Chances of Lakhan backing Congress are more previous records show that members elected Independent vote for the ruling party for various reasons," he said.

Congress seemed confident about winning Lakhan’s support, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visiting BK Hariprasad’s house to offer him the Chairman post.

However, Hariprasad reportedly rejected the offer. "Congress’ offer to Hariprasad shows that it wanted to change Horatti and his Deputy," Chandargi said.