From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Shiggaon (Haveri), Apr 15: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai filed his nomination papers from BJP at the Tahsildar’s office in Shiggaon in Haveri district on Saturday.

“I am confident of getting unprecedented support from people and will break the victory margin this time from the one in 2018,’’ he told media persons after filing his nomination papers.

Answering questions from reporters, he said the BJP government has taken steps for the development of the entire constituency and expressed confidence that he will get a bigger majority.

“There is some heartburn and disgruntlement in some constituencies. It is quite natural because BJP is the ruling party and there will be several aspirants. It is not possible to satisfy everybody and then the party has decided to drop some sitting MLAs and they are unhappy,’’ he said.

Bommai hoped that everything will be sorted in the next 2 or 3 days. “The rebellion in some constituencies and disgruntlement will be settled,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister said the final list of BJP candidates for the remaining constituencies will be released shortly.

“Election is an arena for wrestling. Let there be any opponent. The stronger and formidable the rival candidate will make the election more interesting,’’ he said.

Bommai said he will be filing another set of nomination papers on April 19 when BJP National President J P Nadda will be arriving.

The Chief Minister refuted the allegations by BJP MLA Nehru Olekar over alleged misappropriation of funds in Haveri district and challenged Olekar to furnish documentary evidence.

“In fact, Olekar himself had been proven guilty in a case,’’ Bommai claimed.

Even as senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has been showing his defiance at being denied the party ticket and alleging that denial of ticket to him would lead to defeats of BJP in at least 20 to 25 constituencies in the north Karnataka region, Bommai said discussions are on with Shettar to convince him and that the party will look after his interests.

He said efforts are on convince Shettar and this issue had been discussed with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Shettar hails from the family of Jan Sangh and is always loyal to BJP. He is very much necessary in the North Karnataka region. Talks have been held with Nadda to retain Shettar in the party at any cost. We are confident to retain him,’’ he asserted.

Reacting to charges that he was responsible for Shettar to miss the ticket, the Chief Minister termed it as rumors and said none must say that.

Meanwhile, Shettar is likely to announce his decision on his future and whether he will contest as an independent on Sunday.

“Efforts are on to retain Shettar in the party honestly. Hundreds of people say many things but he and Shettar are very close,’’ he claimed.