In a show of strength and a build-up for the byelections, former Minister and disqualified MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi organised a rally in his hometown Gokak on Saturday and urged his supporters not to believe “vested interests who were maligning him using some pliable television channels.” He claimed that 10 more MLAs were in touch with him and “willing to resign”.
Mr. Ramesh said: “I urge you not to watch TV for the next few months, till a byelection is held for the Gokak Assembly seat.” He added that he had organised the Sankalpa Yatre rally to answer critics who had been alleging that he was on vacation in the Himalayas while his voters in Gokak were suffering from the floods.