From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 17: Giving the impression of being not worried about the exit of senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar and joining Congress party soon after former BJP Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the Congress party may have inducted BJP leaders but it cannot snatch away the party’s vote banks.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Monday, he said the BJP is unperturbed by the exit of party leaders and joining Congress and is getting tremendous response all over the State.

Bommai said the ruling party has given everything, position and power in the last 25 years. “There is no question of sidelining him or insulting him,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister refused to respond to the charges and attacks by Shettar against BJP and said when somebody quits the party, they have to say something. “We cannot reply to everything,’’ he said.

Bommai said he does not expect Shettar to return to the party.

He reminded the former BJP chief minister that Congress party had insulted tallest leaders like Veerendra Patil, Devaraj Urs and Bangarappa. The Congress party would make use of Shettar and dump him afterwards.

“The Lingayat community will remain loyal to BJP as long as former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is with us,’’ he added.