Bengaluru: A CD was released revealing Bharatiya Janata Party Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi caught taking sexual favors from a 25-year-old woman in turn for her coveted government job. Sources say that he later retracts and then threatens her with dire consequences. He claimed that the video was morphed but resigned on ‘moral grounds’ reiterating he is innocent and demanded reinstatement if proven the same.
In the video, he also said the Chief Minister of Karnataka B. S. Yediyurappa was corrupt. The video was leaked to Kannada television news channels and social media showing Jarkiholi in a compromising position with a woman. He said it was “fake” and threatened to quit politics if proven guilty. He has, as of now, resigned from the post of state Cabinet minister, but has demanded reinstatement if found innocent.
He said, “I believe that I am innocent. But, I am resigning on moral grounds. The allegations are false and a thorough investigation must be done.”
It is said that his resignation has been implemented by Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and sent to the Governor for approval.
On Wednesday, his brother, BJP MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi sought a CBI probe into the allegations of sexual harassment made about his brother, Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi. He also threatened to file Rs 100 crore defamation case on those who released a “fake CD”.
After meeting Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, he said that Ramesh Jarkiholi should not resign if he has not done anything wrong and a thorough investigation must be done to find out those behind the CD containing objectionable videos.
The matter is under investigation. The event has come under heavy criticism from the public and other political leaders:
After his sex CD, #RameshJarkiholi is now the frontrunner to become BJP CM Candidate in Karnataka.
Apparently, when asked to resign, he is now threatening to release CDs of Yediyurappa & other BJP leaders?
Modiji, your 'Balatkari Janata Party' is again showing its true colors
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) March 3, 2021
Will Prime Minister @narendramodi walk the talk or #BetiBachaoBetiPadhao will remain only slogan? March 8 th Women’s day we may again see tall claims but reality a woman exploited on the promise of Govt jobs,will criminal case registered on #RameshJarkiholi ?Will he be arrested? pic.twitter.com/TixicJhX4Q
— Manickam Tagore .B??✋மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) March 3, 2021
Whether Minister who was involved in this shameless act leave the woman and family when he is in power Prime minister @narendramodi must act not keeping silence only , silence means support to the crime! #RameshJarkiholi https://t.co/6geogHNEcx
— Manickam Tagore .B??✋மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) March 3, 2021