Belagavi: The absence of disgruntled Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi was felt during the nomination filing procession of Belagavi Congress candidate Dr S V Sadhunavar here on Friday.Sitting Congress MLAs of assembly segments that come under Belagavi LS constituency Laxmi Hebbalkar, Mahantesh Koujalagi, Satish Jarkiholi, former MLAs, party office bearers and hundreds of workers took part in the procession except Ramesh.When asked about his absence, KPCC campaign committee chief H K Patil and district in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi tried to escape by giving vague answers and saying Ramesh was still a member of the party and that he must work for the party candidate. Both hoped Ramesh would campaign for Congress candidates in both Chikkodi and Belagavi.The procession that began from the Congress office at Sangolli Rayanna Circle reached Rani Channamma Circle where the freedom fighter’s statue was garlanded. The procession then moved to towards DC’s office. Satish Jarkiholi said that both Chikkodi and Belagavi are critical constituencies for the Congress and the party will put every effort to win both.Sadhunavar said all Congress leaders including Satish Jarkiholi and HK Patil supported him. He added that Congress workers were happy with his candidature and that he would definitely win.Congress campaign committee chief leader H K Patil said the income tax raids on people associated with JD(S), during elections was nothing but an attempt to damage their image and stopping them from campaigning. “Such attempts are dangerous for democracy and the Modi government is trying to trouble opposition leaders and create fear in the country,” he added.Meanwhile, Patil said AICC chief Rahul Gandhi will launch the joint campaign of the Congress-JD(S) in Bengaluru on March 31 in the presence of JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda. District in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi was present.Pick pockets make merryTaking advantage of the rush of people during the procession, pick pockets robbed five people including that of ZP vice-president Arun Katambale. While Congress leader Ashok Gouda from Belagundi lost Rs 1.6 lakh, Katambale said he lost Rs 30,000.

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