Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, on December 23, expanded the state cabinet | Photo Credit: BCCL

Belagavi: A day after Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy expanded the cabinet by inducting eight new ministers, signs of bickering have started emerging from within the Congress party. Ramesh Jarkiholi, the party MLA threatened to quit along with others, after he was 'dropped' from the cabinet.

According to a report by Times Now channel, Jarkiholi's brother Satish was inducted into the cabinet on December 23. According to the Times Now report, Jarkiholi has openly threatened to quit the party and join the BJP along with other MLAs. The departure of the heavyweight politician from Belagavi could spell trouble for the ruling Congress-JDS combine, for which, it is critical to put up a show of unity at least till the general elections 2019.

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In the cabinet expansion that took place, the JDS opted to not fill its two slots and instead reserved the decision for the auspicious occasion of Sankranti in 2019. Ally Congress, on the other hand, went ahead with the swearing-in of eight ministers and dropping two ministers including Jarkiholi.

According to a report in Times of India, Mahesh Kamatalli of Athani and Srimanth Patil of Kagwad may leave along with Jarkiholi, who reportedly helped them win the elections. Congress MLC Vivekrao Patil is also likely to quit- the report suggested. Meanwhile, the state Congress leadership appealed to the 'disgruntled' MLAs to 'understand'. Party leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hoped that Jarkiholi will not leave the party and dismissed reports that his induction into the cabinet was 'blocked' by certain leaders.