Political heat rising in Belagavi ahead of BDCC Bank election | Hubballi News
Belagavi: With elections for the Belagavi District Central Cooperative (BDCC) Bank scheduled for Oct 19, political activities have intensified in the district. This year’s election is drawing significant attention, as several political heavyweights and their family members are going to contest for the coveted director posts.Historically dominated by Lingayat leaders, the BDCC Bank appears to be heading for a shift in power dynamics. Arabhavi MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi is spearheading efforts to ensure that all 16 director seats are filled unopposed, in an attempt to keep the cooperative body free from political conflict. He has received backing from key political figures, including district minister Satish Jarkiholi, Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, former Chikkodi MP Annasaheb Jolle, former MLAs Mahantesh Dodagoudar and Arvind Patil, and many others.However, Balachandra Jarkiholi acknowledged that elections may still take place in 2–3 taluks. “We are doing our best to avoid political confrontation in this cooperative institution. But some things are beyond our control. There are people who may file nominations just to stay in the race. We respect all candidates,” he told media persons on Wednesday.Amid the election buzz, the annual general body meeting of BDCC Bank was also held on Wednesday. The conspicuous absence of prominent Lingayat leaders such as Ramesh Katti and Laxman Savadi sent a strong message of discontent within the Lingayat community over the current developments surrounding the bank.Adding to the political intrigue, women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, a prominent Lingayat leader herself, is reportedly trying to establish her family’s presence in the BDCC Bank. Her son Mrinal Hebbalkar is likely to contest from Belagavi taluk, while her brother Channaraj Hattiholi may contest from Khanapur taluk. However, both are facing stiff resistance from the Jarkiholi camp.In Belagavi taluk, Satish Jarkiholi is reportedly backing his son Rahul. Current director Raju Ankalagi already stated that he would step aside if Rahul decides to contest. In Khanapur, Balachandra Jarkiholi is reportedly supporting former MLA Arvind Patil.Other prominent political names expected to enter the race include Savadatti MLA Vishwas Vaidya, Khanapur MLA Vitthal Halagekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi’s son, a cousin of late MLA Anand Mamani, and several others with deep political roots, all preparing to stake their claims in what is shaping up to be a high-stakes cooperative election.
