From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 17: Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who quit as BJP MLA on Sunday miffed at being denied the party ticket from his Hubballi Central assembly constituency, formally joined the Congress party in the presence of AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge and other senior party leaders, and was immediately rewarded with the Congress ticket and handed over the B form for the May 10 assembly polls.

Kharge, who warmly welcomed one of the tallest BJP leader from the politically dominant Lingayat community and is expected to play a big role in boosting the Congress prospects along with former BJP Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who also belongs to the Lingayat community from Belagavi, said the entry of Shettar into the Congress party would help in the party’s victory prospects in 150 plus seats out of the 224 seats in the State Assembly.

Apart from former Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar as well as AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala and other State Congress leaders were present to welcome Shettar in their ranks.

Addressing the media after joining the Congress, Shettar said he was insulted and humiliated and not allowed to contest when he had requested that he should be given the opportunity to serve as MLA for at least six months. “I am not interested in being a Rajya Sabha member or a Union Minister but want to serve the people of Hubballi-Dharwad region as MLA. But my entreaties were flatly rejected and the offers for other posts were made much later after the humiliation,’’ he said and promised to do his best to strengthen the Congress party in its quest for getting an absolute majority.

Shettar said the BJP is Karnataka is controlled by ‘a few leaders, who are interested in protecting and safeguarding their self-interest’ and do not want clean and non-corrupt politicians as it would damage them.

The 67-year-old Lingayat community leader, who had served as BJP State president for two terms, and had served as Assembly Speaker and BJP opposition leader in the Assembly and also as Chief Minister. Hailing from the Sangh Parivar and close associate of former Union Minister Ananth Kumar, he had been elected as MLA from Hubballi-Central for six terms.

Shettar said, “Discussions are being held about me quitting the BJP. For the last several months, no one understands my pain. I built the party along with former Union Minister Ananth Kumar and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa. I built the party in North Karnataka. The BJP had given me several positions. I discharge my responsibilities sincerely and without blemish. I have no corruption charges against me.’’

“I have taken the decision after seeking views of well-wishers,’’ he said and made it clear that “believing in the Congress party’s principles, I joined the Congress now. A new chapter in my political life begins’’

Shettar lashed out at BJP leaders in Karnataka and said: “Now in Karnataka, only a few leaders are controlling the BJP. Only a few leaders control the BJP in State for serving their self-interest. I am not criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J P Nadda. They are unaware of developments in the BJP in Karnataka.’’

“Some BJP leaders are above everything Karnataka. I was in the BJP for not power. I am from Sangh Parivar and an ABVP leader. But the BJP humiliated me by denying the ticket at the last minute. The BJP leaders could have informed me about the ticket earlier instead of the humiliation,’’ he said.

Kharge said: “Shettar was in the RSS but a non-controversial man. He was in the Opposition when we were in the government and when we were in the opposition, he was in the ruling. Shettar’s entry would help the party win more seats in the coming elections.’’

By inducting Shettar, Congress is keen to send a message that the BJP has not shown due respect to leaders from the Lingayat community that has been its main support base. A few days ago, another Lingayat leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi quit the BJP and joined the Congress after being denied a ticket from Athani.

Senior Lingayat leaders in the Congress - former Ministers Shamanur Shivashankarappa and M B Patil -- held talks with Shettar and persuaded him to join the party. Shettar’s son is married to Mr. Shivashankarappa’s granddaughter.

Siddaramaiah said Shettar was a simple and clean person and believed in secular principles despite hailing from RSS and serving in BJP. Along with Shettar, another former MP Amar Singh Patil, who had won from Congress and quit the party, has re-joined. The entry of prominent leaders from Lingayat community like Shettar, Savadi and Amarsingh Patil along with their supporters will boost the Congress party and help in winning over 150 seats, he predicted.