Shivaji Idol Unveiling: Ramesh Jarakiholi V/S Lakshmi Hebbalkar

The issue of a huge Shivaji idol, which is going to be installed in the Rajahansagada fort in Yallur, has now led to a fierce political conflict.

Former Minister Ramesh Jarakiholi said that Rural MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar is going to unveil the effigy of Shivaji Maharaj being constructed in Rajahansagad in violation of government etiquette. Speaking at the construction site of Shivaji Maharaj's effigy in Rajahansagad, he said that he is going to make it a full-fledged Congress program, I will not let that happen, former minister Ramesh Jarakiholi and MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar declared war.

We came to know about the program after it was published in the newspaper. The fort is developing since 2010. We have no objection to development. But we are against making this a party program. It should be a government program. He said that he will discuss this with District In-charge Minister Govinda Karajola and District Collector.

Earlier I had submitted a proposal to CT Ravi who was the Minister of Tourism. C. T. Ravi got three and a half crore rupees. He said that the Congress government has not given any grant. I had released funds for the construction of idols of Rani Channamma and Sangolli Rayanna in Kaurigudda of Badala Ankalagi with a grant of one crore. We take all religions and castes together. Former MLA Sanjay Patil stung that I do not compare myself to Shivaji Maharaj like those who claim to be Channamma.

If only one rupee grant was released, it was in the BJP government, no money was released in the Congress government. Grants were not released when his government was there. Like him I do not eat dung, I have not opposed the construction of a statue of Shivaji Maharaj. Lakshmi Hebbalkar, the second name of the fraudster, cheated Gaddevara Math and Ramesh Jarakiholi by missing the ticket to Gaddevara Math in the rural area, Sanjay Patil alleged.

Lakshmi Hebbalkar has already announced the date of the inauguration of Shivaji Maharaj's Putthali, but here they are doing a program in complete violation of government etiquette, we will not allow this, if the program is being conducted according to etiquette, we have no objection and everyone will jointly inaugurate Shivaji Maharaj's Putthali.

Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarakiholi responded to the statement of MLC Channaraj Hattiholi by violating any etiquette.