Bungalow Brouhaha bewilders Bangalore

An unholy fight between two of Jagadish Shettar’s ministers over a former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s ‘lucky’ house was resolved only on Saturday, having started much earlier when D V Sadananda Gowda had allotted the house to Municipal Administration Minister Balachandra Jarkiholi during his last days in power.

Several ministers had begun eyeing the ‘lucky; bungalow when Yeddyurappa announced his decision to move into his own house in Dollars Colony after overstaying since resigning as chief minister a year ago, Gowda, however, allotted it to his trusted man Jarkiholi just two days before stepping down. The keys were, however, not handed over to Jarakiholi.

Shettar allotted it to Karandlaje after taking over, an action widely believed to have been performed at the instance of Yeddyurappa. The fight was on.

On hearing that Karandlaje has been allotted this house, Jarkiholi’s supporters tried to make a forced entry, breaking open the locks. Officials of the Department  of Personnel and Administrative Reforms rushed to the spot and handed over the keys to Jarkiholi’s supporters, sources said. Shettar took refuge in nonchalance, describing it is a “trivial issue”. He told reporters: “I will settle it amicably by talking to both Balachandra Jarkiholi and Shobha Karandlaje.”

It worked. Shobha gave up her claim, and Jarkiholi got lucky.