Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar struggles to set his 'house' in order

Bangalore: Two ministers in the Jagadish Shettar Cabinet have locked horns over the Race Course Road bungalow, which many consider ‘lucky’. Municipal Administration Minister Balachandra Jarkiholi and Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje are now fighting to occupy the sprawling house, which was held by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa till recently before he moved to his own house in Dollars Colony.

It all started with Shettar allotting this house to Karandlaje on Monday. But the confusion arose because the same house was allotted to Jarkiholi by former CM D V Sadananda Gowa just two days before he demitted office last week. However, the key was not handed over to Jarkiholi. According to sources, it was Yeddyurappa who prevailed upon Shettar to get this house allotted to his close confidante.

On hearing that Karandlaje was allotted this house, Jarkiholi’s supporters on Monday afternoon tried to make a forced entry into the house by breaking open the lock. Not wanting any problems, officials of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) rushed to the spot and handed over the keys to Jarkiholi’s supporters, sources added.

Two ministers in the Jagadish Shettar Cabinet have locked horns over the Race Course Road bungalow.

Now it remains to be seen how Shettar would solve this problem as Karandlaje and Jarkiholi both belong to opposite camps and persuading them would not be that easy. When contacted, Jagadish Shettar said, “It is a trivial issue and I will settle it amicably by talking to both Balachandra Jarkiholi and Shobha Karandlaje.”

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