The political bastion built over decades by the late Umesh Katti in Hukkeri and the larger Belagavi region is rapidly disintegrating. In just six months since his demise, the Katti family’s influence over pivotal cooperative bodies has dramatically eroded, challenged by a rising alliance of the Jarkiholi and Jolle families.

The shift became stark after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Ramesh Katti, Umesh’s brother and ex-MP, had vied for a BJP ticket from Chikkodi but was denied in favour of sitting MP Annasaheb Jolle. Disenchanted, Katti distanced himself from the campaign — a decision widely seen as a key factor in Jolle’s eventual loss. Tensions between the rival factions have since escalated.

In November 2024, the Jolle-Jarkiholi alliance made its first move, ousting Ramesh Katti from the helm of the Belagavi District Central Cooperative (BDCC) Bank after 25 years. Annasaheb Jolle and MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi led the coup.

The takeover wave continued in January at the Hiranyakeshi Cooperative Sugar Factory, long under the Katti family’s control. Seven of ten directors defected, leading to chairman Nikhil Katti’s resignation. Congress leaders AB Patil and Shashikant Naik backed the shift.

The most recent blow came at the Hukkeri Rural Electric Cooperative Society, another institution the Kattis held for nearly three decades. Facing imminent ouster, chairman Kalagonda Patil stepped down as 15 directors joined the opposing camp.

The Kattis now face fresh threats at the APMC, PLD Bank, and local societies — once their turf.

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