Shakuntala Shetty makes political comeback - joins Congress

Bangalore, Feb 26 (DHNS): Former Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district, Shakuntala Shetty, on Monday joined the Congress.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwara formally inducted her into the party at a simple function held at the KPCC office here.

Shetty, who had won the Puttur Assembly seat as a BJP nominee in 2004, rebelled against the party after she was denied the ticket to seek re-election in 2008. She unsuccessfully contested the 2008 elections, under the banner of Swabhimani Vedike, against the party’s official candidate Mallika Prasad. Subsequently, Shetty was expelled from the BJP.

Later, she had not joined any political party. However, there was a lot of speculation about her next political move. The JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy had tried to rope her into his party fold. Of late, it was speculated that she may join the B S Yeddyurappa-led KJP.

When contacted by Deccan Herald, Shetty said that she joined the Congress following pressure from her followers.

“I had invitation from various political parties. Of course, the BJP did not invite me. I was away from politics for the last five years. But, I have been active as a social worker. Parameshwara invited me to the Congress and, so, I am here. The BJP has lost all the values it once stood for.”

Asked who had created problems for her in the BJP, she said she would not like to do postmortem.

Ready to contest

Asked whether she would be contesting from Puttur, Shetty said she has not joined the Congress by imposing any conditions. But, if the party gives the ticket, she would contest the polls, she added.

Speaking on the occasion, Parameshwara said the urban local bodies (ULB) elections will not set the trend for the crucial Assembly polls to be held later.

It is not proper to say that the ULB poll results will set the trend. For, only 30 per cent of the people will vote in the civic polls, he added.