Bengaluru: In the wake of income tax raids on the residences of Small Scale Industries Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and State Women’s Congress Chief Lakshmi Nimbalkar, pressure is now mounting on Jarkiholi to step down.

In case Ramesh resigns, his brother Satish Jarkiholi is likely to occupy the vacant slot.

Though Lakshmi Nimbalkar accused the Modi government of targeting only Congress leaders in the raids by terming it as a planned plot, the support for such an argument is waning considering, unaccounted wealth of Rs 162 Crore unearthed by IT officials during the raids. Some leaders are still backing Ramesh Jarkiholi because of his clout within the party and the region.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Kumar, State Health Minister has demanded that stringent action must be taken against people in such cases, irrespective of their position and party affiliations.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on arrival at Mysore last afternoon said he was unaware of the raids and subsequent developments. At the other end, State Congress Chief G Paramehswara has sought clarifications from Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and asked him to be prepared to put in his papers in case the High Command asked him to do so.

For now, the ball is in High Command’s court and if it gives nod then Ramesh Jarkiholi may have to follow H Y Meti, who resigned earlier on sex scandal issue.