BJP ticket distribution bears Ramesh stamp

Belagavi: BJP leadership cleared the tickets of all 18 assembly constituencies of Belagavi district in one go on Tuesday. The list clearly shows the upper hand of former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi in successfully getting tickets for his confidants.
According to the list, more than 50% of the candidates announced are from the team of Jarkiholi. He succeeded in getting tickets for himself, along with MLA Mahesh Kumathalli at Athani and MLA Shrimant Patil at Kagawad. The trio, elected from Congress in 2018 elections, later switched to BJP, as a part of ‘Operation Lotus’.
The ticket demand to Kumathalli in Athani had led to a tussle between Laxman Savadi and Ramesh. However, the announcement of ticket to Kumathalli made Savadi to quit the party. Jarkiholi’s another close aide, Nagesh Mannolkar, also got the ticket to contest from Belagavi (Rural), where he will face MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Ramesh also managed to get tickets to Vitthal Halagekar at Khanapur, Chikka Revanna at Ramdurg and Basavaraj Hundri at Yamakanmaradi. Former MLA Jagadish Metgud, who got the ticket for Bailhongal, and new face Dr Ravi Patil in Belagavi (North) constituency, are also said to be from Ramesh’s team.
Two sitting MLAs— Anil Benake of Belagavi (North) and Mahadevappa Yadawad of Ramdurg — have been denied the ticket. Upset over this, Benake’s followers staged a protest in the premises of MP Mangala Angadi’s residence and Channamma Circle.
In Khanapur, Savadi was batting to get a ticket to former MLA Arvind Patil. However, Ramesh’s clout made both Savadi and Arvind lose tickets. In another move, BJP has tried to sail on sympathy votes by giving tickets Ratna Mamani, wife of former MLA late Anand Mamani, from Savadatti, and Nikhil Katti, son of late Umesh Katti, in Hukkeri. The party has also fielded former MP Ramesh Katti in Sadalaga-Chikodi constituency against Congress’ Ganesh Hukkeri. Early this week, Ramesh had stated that all MLAs who joined BJP from Congress and JD(S), and helped the saffron party form the government would get tickets, and the same has come true. According to sources, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis played a key role behind Ramesh’s success.