I am a CM candidate for 2028, claims Satish Jarkiholi

Raichur: Minister Satish Jarkiholi declared himself Karnataka Chief Minister aspirant for the next elections. “There is no question of changing the current Chief Minister. I have already stated that I will be the CM candidate for 2028. Let us wait and see,” he said.

Speaking to reporters, he clarified that there was no secret meeting. “All the discussions were open, and the meeting was purely a dinner gathering. There was no discussion on issues like cabinet expansion,” he stated.

Criticizing the previous BJP government, Jarkiholi said, “They operated without appropriate budget allocation. Now, to complete those projects, where should the funds come from? Such imbalances are due to poor planning. If Rs 1,000 crore is allocated, and projects worth Rs 3,000 crore are taken up, how can it work? The delays in clearing bills are due to such financial mismanagement.”

He also addressed the BJP’s allegations of the government’s inefficiency. “Our government has undertaken developmental work. If BJP claims this is only a 60% functioning government, they should prove it instead of just making allegations,” he said.

Regarding Priyanka Kharge’s alleged involvement in a controversy, he remarked, “The letter names an associate, not the minister himself. If personal assistants or aides are mentioned, it doesn’t directly implicate the ministers. Let the investigation proceed.”

On the BJP’s protest against bus fare hikes, he questioned their silence on GST issues. “The Union Finance Minister imposed 18% GST on old vehicles. Why is there no protest against that? They are only looking at the state’s bus fare hike,” he retorted.