Congress leaders are vying for a seat in Karnataka’s Belagavi Lok Sabha election

Within the state’s Congress organization, a fiercely fought election is taking place in the Belagavi seat in Karnataka. Even after the party’s spectacular win in the state elections a few months ago, the fight for the coveted Lok Sabha seat has grown into a serious source of controversy.

Two powerful Belagavi figures who are both ministers in the Karnataka Cabinet are at the core of this political struggle. The prominent Jarkiholi family, known for its supremacy in the sugar business, is where Satish Jarkiholi, the Minister for Public Works Department, comes from. Notably, two of his brothers—Ramesh and Balachandra—serve as MLAs for the BJP, while another brother—Lakhan Jarkiholi—is a Congress MLC.

Satish Jarkiholi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have a long-standing relationship that was established when Satish Jarkiholi defected from the Congress to the JD(S) more than 15 years ago.

Lakshmi Hebbalkar, the Minister for Women and Child Development, is on the other side of the debate. Hebbalkar has her own political clout and is allied with the D K Shivakumar faction, the deputy chief minister. In 2021, Channaraj Hattiholi, her younger brother, won a seat in the Legislative Council.

This political conflict has importance that goes beyond individual goals. Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister, wants to increase his power in the vital Belagavi district. This district is notable politically since it has a substantial bastion outside of Bengaluru Urban, with two Lok Sabha seats, Belagavi and Chikkodi, and an astounding 18 Assembly segments.

The complexity and power dynamics inside the state Congress party have been highlighted by the heated competition for the Lok Sabha ticket. The political climate in Karnataka, a state noted for its fluctuating alliances and political dynamics, as well as the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, might be greatly affected by this rivalry.

Both Satish Jarkiholi and Lakshmi Hebbalkar are fighting for the party’s nomination for the Belagavi seat by fielding members of their respective families.

This political drama follows the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023, heightening the political atmosphere’s suspense. The significance of the upcoming decision for the Congress party in Karnataka is highlighted by the prominence of Belagavi as a crucial election battlefield.