Ex-Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar Joins Congress Ahead Of Assembly Elections

Just a day after quitting BJP, the former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar joined hands with the Congress ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Jagadish Shettar joins Congress today

He joined the party in the presence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (Karnataka in-charge), KPCC president D K Shivakumar and Legislature Party leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, among others.

On Sunday, Shettar resigned as the Hubli-Dharwad (Central) MLA after the BJP denied him the ticket to contest the Assembly polls.

The 67-year-old six-time MLA, Shettar was asked by the BJP top brass to make way for others, but he on his part had asserted he wanted to contest one last time.

Shettar slams BJP

After joining the Congress, the leader has alleged that he had been humiliated by the BJP by denying him a ticket and that party is today in the control of “very few people.” He slammed BJP and said, “I was humiliated and badly treated by the BJP leaders. A few leaders in the state are misusing the BJP system and it is hurtful.”

Speaking to the media, he said, “I was forcefully thrown out of the party that I built…I’m joining the Congress by accepting its ideology and principles.”

On his arrival in Bengaluru from Hubballi on Sunday night, Shettar had held discussions with Congress leaders Surjewala,  Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, former minister and campaign committee chief M B Patil and veteran party leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Shettar’s relative).

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Possible aftermath of Shetter’s decision

After Shettar’s decision, a prominent Lingayat leader from north Karnataka may adversely impact the BJP’s prospects in a number of segments in the region, according to political observers.

Shettar, a veteran BJP leader whose family has been associated with the party since Jana Sangh’s days, is an influential leader from its bastion of Kittur Karnataka region. While in the BJP he had served as a Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition and chief minister.