Belagavi: The rising political clout of the Jarkiholi brothers in Belagavi, a region traditionally dominated by representatives of the Lingayat community, has triggered anxiety among senior Lingayats, prompting a closed-door strategy meeting at the influential Kaneri Mutt near the Maharashtra border.The meeting, held a few days ago, has sparked intense political chatter across the district. It comes ahead of the high-stakes Belagavi District Central Cooperative (BDCC) Bank elections in Oct, where Arabhavi MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi is leading efforts to secure all 16 seats unopposed.Control of BDCC Bank has long been seen as a key marker of political strength in the district. The Lingayat community held sway over the bank for decades, with former Chikodi MP and prominent Lingayat figure Ramesh Katti serving as its chairman for 27 years — from 1997 until Oct 2024. Katti was unseated following a political realignment led by Balachandra, former MP Annasaheb Jolle, and others.The Jarkiholis’ growing footprint has extended beyond the bank. District minister Satish Jarkiholi is reportedly preparing to field his son Rahul Jarkiholi from Hukkeri assembly segment. Once a stronghold of the Katti family, the segment has witnessed a steady erosion of their influence, marked by the recent loss of control over the Hiranyakeshi Cooperative Sugar Factory and the Hukkeri Electricity Cooperative Society to the Balachandra Jarkiholi–Annasaheb Jolle combine.At the Kaneri Mutt meeting, sources say several senior Lingayat faces voiced concern over the community’s declining influence and explored steps to reclaim their foothold. Soon after, Ramesh Katti met with his supporters and declared that the Katti family would not allow “outsiders” to take over Hukkeri. The remark is seen as a direct challenge to the Jarkiholi family’s ascent and a signal of political reactivation by the Kattis, who have largely remained on the sidelines since Umesh Katti’s death two years ago.Downplaying the Kaneri Mutt deliberations, Satish Jarkiholi said, “Such meetings against the Jarkiholi family are not new. They’ve been happening for over 20 years. Let them show their strength; we will show our unity.” He also confirmed plans to induct his son Rahul into the BDCC Bank board from Belagavi taluk constituency, indicating a deeper consolidation of the family’s political base.
