Laxmi Hebbalkar, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Laxman Savadi file nominations in B’gavi

Belagavi: Political heavyweights of the district - Ramesh Jarkiholi, Laxmi Hebbalkar and Laxman Savadi filed nominations on Tuesday, along with a huge show of strength in their respective constituencies.
Ramesh Jarkiholi
Former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi showcased his strength in Gokak town, before filing the nomination as a BJP candidate. He was accompanied by his younger brother MLC Lakhan Jarkiholi, local city municipal council Jayanand Hunachyali and BJP office bearers and many other leaders.
Congress has played Panchamsali card against Ramesh, by fielding Dr Mahantesh Kadadi. The contest is going for Ramesh as all the aspirants of Congress ticket, including Ashok Pujari have joined hands in support of Mahantesh Kadadi.
After filing nomination, Ramesh expressed confidence of winning for the 7th time. “I don’t consider my opponents weak. We will fight the election considering them strong. Let us wait for results on May 13,”, he said. Lakhan Jarkiholi said although he is an independent MLC, he will be supporting BJP in the assembly elections. He declared he will campaign in Belagavi (Rural), Athani and Kagawad constituencies for BJP candidates.
Laxmi Hebbalkar
MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar also filed nomination in Belagavi as a Congress candidate of Belagavi (Rural) constituency. She was accompanied by his younger brother MLC Channaraj Hattiholi. She had amassed almost double crowd compared to the crowd attended on Monday during the nomination filing of her BJP opponent Nagesh Mannolkar. Mannolkar happens to be a staunch follower of Ramesh Jarkiholi.
After filing the nomination papers, Hebbalkar said despite all odds created by her opponents, she has succeeded in obtaining the support of all castes and communities in her constituency. “Last election, I won by 52,000 votes lead. This time, I will surpass my last election lead at least by 1 vote. I have faith in my followers,” she said.
According to the declaration given by Hebbalkar, she has movable assets worth of Rs 10.85 crores and immovable assets worth of Rs 1.90 crore. She has Rs 5.63 crore loans from different banks and financial institutions and has income tax due amounting to Rs 1.19 crore. Regarding this, she has filed an appeal. She has an MA degree in Political Science from University of Mysore in 2002. There are four criminal cases running in various courts against her.
Laxman Savadi
Former deputy CM Laxman Savadi, who recently quit BJP, filed his nomination papers as a Congress candidate from Athani assembly constituency. He showed massive show of strength during a rally organised before filing the nomination.
Speaking to media, Savadi said: “All my followers, who have been with me for the past 25 years, have joined the Congress along with me. I never expected so much of crowd during the nomination rally. This gave me confidence of winning with huge margin,” he said.
According to his self-declaration, Laxman Savadi has passed II PUC and has movable assents worth Rs 6.66 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 29.55 crore. He has shown his annual income as Rs 81 lakh.
Other nominations
This apart, many other heavyweights filed nomination on Tuesday. In Hukkeri, former minister AB Patil and former minister late Umesh Katti’s son Nikhil filed nominations as Congress and BJP candidates respectively. Dr Anjali Nimbalkar filed nomination as Congress candidate from Khanapur constituency. Uttam Patil filed nomination in Nipani as a candidate of National Congress Party (NCP). His opponent BJP candidate Shashikala Jolle had filed nomination on Monday. In Gokak, Dr Mahantesh Kadadi filed nomination as Congress candidate. He was accompanied by KPCC working president Satish Jarkiholi. In Bailhongal, BJP candidate Jagadish Metgud filed nomination. From Belagavi (North) MES candidate Amar Yallurkar and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Rajkumar Topannavar filed their nominations.