Jarkiholi Arrives at Belagavi KDP Meet by Private Helicopter After ED Searches
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi flew to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in his private helicopter for a KDP review meeting, days after ED searches at his premises.
Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi arrived at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi by private helicopter on Wednesday to attend a Karnataka Development Programme review meeting, days after Enforcement Directorate officers searched his offices and residences.
The Minister, who is also the Belagavi district in-charge, had been staying at his home in Gokak and landed at the helipad on the SVS premises ahead of the meeting.
His decision to travel by air drew attention in light of the recent searches. A close associate, Munna Bagwan, said the Minister was seeking to reassure his followers amid speculation in the media and on social media that the raids had affected him. Some outlets had also suggested the helicopter was a gift from a company in exchange for favours, he said.
Bagwan said Jarkiholi ordinarily uses a helicopter to travel to Bengaluru or other district headquarters, and that on this occasion he chose the mode of transport to make a statement.
Bailhongal MLA Mahantesh Koujalagi and the Minister's personal assistant, Basavaraj Jatti, accompanied him.
Senior district officials, including Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam, Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde and Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, received the Minister with bouquets. MLAs Babasaheb Patil, Asif Sait and Vishwas Vaidya, along with other leaders and officials, were present.