'Satish Jarkiholi and I are on the same page'

HUBBALLI: After weeks of a reported feud, ministers DK Shivaku mar and Satish Jarkiholi shared a chartered flight to travel from Bengaluru to Hubballi on Friday. From there, Shivakumar proceeded to Kundgol to join the Congress's bypoll campaign.
The short journey to Hubballi is a significant milestone in the relationship of the two ministers, whose rivalry threatened to create a major split in the state Congress unit. Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah helped the two men find common ground, even travelling with them on Friday.
In a chat with TOI, Shivakumar, who is a part of the team overseeing the party's preparations for the May 19 Kundgol byelection, said he had put aside all differences as retaining the constituency was his top priority.
Once again, you will be working with RV Deshpande, who is heading the Kundgol campaign team. There were reports of a parallel power centre when he was the KPCC chief and you were the working president. How will you ensure it doesn't happen in Kundgol?
I am like water and can adapt with anyone and anything. There will be no differences between us. Deshpande is the Dharwad district minister. He had to be included in the team along with HK Patil, who is the party's campaign committee chairman.
What is the path to peace for you and forest minister Satish Jarkiholi? He reportedly wants you to stay out of north Karnataka politics
We are good friends, who are working for the party. Satish made it clear that he has not spoken anything against me. We are on the same page.
What is your USP that the Congress high command asks you each time to troubleshoot problems?
I have discharged every responsibility given by the party. I have worked for the party from the panchayat to the national level. I don't want to beat my own trumpet about my potentialities. My work should speak for itself. The title of "troubleshooter" has been given to me by the people. I have successfully accomplished all tasks assigned to me by the party.
Poll statistics show that Kundgol has never returned the same candidate for a second term. What will be your strategy?
Unity among party workers will be the key guiding factor for a Congress victory here. I will study the political situation in Kundgol and chalk out a strategy.