BELAGAVI, 10 NOV

The Jarkiholi panel has taken control of the Belagavi District Central Co-operative (BDCC) Bank, ending the three-decade reign of former BJP MP Ramesh Katti’s faction.

Former Chikkodi MP Annasaheb Jolley (BJP) and Kagwad Congress MLA Bharamgouda (Raju) Kage were elected unopposed as president and vice-president, respectively, during the bank’s elections held on Monday.

The Jarkiholi panel secured a majority in the 18-member board, while the Katti-led group managed to retain only five members. The victory followed a coordinated effort by the three Jarkiholi brothers, Minister Satish Jarkiholi (Congress) and BJP leaders Ramesh and Balachandra Jarkiholi, who set aside party differences to ensure their panel’s win in the elections. 

Katti, who headed the BDCC Bank for nearly 30 years, chose not to field its candidates this time, citing inadequate support. His faction had recently defeated the Jarkiholi group in the elections to the Hukkeri Co-operative Electric Supply Society, the only co-operative in the country that independently generates and supplies power to its members.

Balachandra Jarkiholi said the panel had honoured its commitment by appointing a Lingayat leader as president of the bank.