Belagavi
Minister Satish Jarkiholi has called for supporting Appannagouda Patil’s faction in the upcoming Hukkeri Taluk Rural Electricity Cooperative Society elections, stressing the need for transparent and proactive governance.
Speaking at a pre-election meeting at Nesari Garden in Sankeshwar, Jarkiholi alleged that institutions like the Hukkeri Taluk Rural Electricity Cooperative Society and the Hiranyakeshi Cooperative Sugar Factory, once role models for others, have suffered massive losses under the Katti family’s three-decade dominance, leaving them burdened with debts worth crores.
He recalled how Ramesh Katti was unanimously made Chairman of the Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank, only to be removed later for his dictatorial style of functioning. Jarkiholi said irregularities in the sugar factory, cooperative society, and BDCC Bank would soon be exposed and investigated by the government.
Former Minister Shashikant Naik added that households across the taluk once benefitted from institutions built by leaders like Rishabh Patil, Appanna Gowda Patil, and Basagouda Patil, but mismanagement has now pushed them into financial distress. “Those responsible must be voted out,” he urged.
Several Congress leaders and local office bearers were present at the meeting.
