Jagadish Shettar returns BJP
Less than a year after leaving the party due to “ill treatment” and joining the Congress, former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar returned to the BJP on Thursday. Days prior to the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election, in which Mr. Shettar ran but was defeated by the BJP, that switch also occurred.
Delhi headquarters of of BJP welcomes Shettar
The party’s Delhi headquarters hosted the six-time MLA’s homecoming, which was approved by Home Minister Amit Shah. BY Vijayendra, the head of the Karnataka branch, and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa were also there.
“I am rejoining with the belief Narendra Modiji has to become PM again,” Mr Shettar, who was widely seen as a staunch follower of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP’s ideological mentor, said.
After his “homecoming,” videos showed a grinning Mr. Shettar greeting BJP chief JP Nadda. Mr. Nadda wrapped a party scarf around his neck and, holding Mr. Shettar’s hand tightly, smiled for pictures. The two then sat down for a meeting with Mr. Yediyurappa and his son.
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BJP leaders wanted Shettar back
Earlier today Mr Shettar claimed “some issues” led to his quitting the BJP and joining the Congress, and said, “In the last eight or nine months there were a lot of discussions. BJP workers asked me to come back…Yediyurappaji and Vijayendraji also wanted me to come back… so I am rejoining.”
Congress strikes Jagadish on going back
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress responded by pointing out that Mr. Shettar joined his party because the BJP “disrespected” him. “He joined the Congress stating BJP disrespected him… we gave him a ticket for the Assembly election, made him MLC after he lost…so he wasn’t disrespected in the Congress nor was injustice done,” Siddaramaiah said.
Jagadish Shettar joined the Congress after he was denied a ticket to fight in last year’s Karnataka election. After his switch Mr. Yediyurappa said Mr. Shettar “made a mistake”. “We promised him Rajya Sabha membership and (said) we would make him Union Minister. Amit Shah himself spoke to him. I think he made a mistake leaving… we wholeheartedly supported him almost every time,” he told media.
