Former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar joins Congress, BJP faces setback ahead of state assembly elections
Quick Andhra in Association with News9: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress ahead of the state assembly elections. Speaking on the occasion, Congress leader Siddaramaiah expressed his displeasure at the way Shettar was treated by the BJP and stated that it should not happen to anyone in any party. Shettar's induction into the Congress was marked by the presence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka state Congress president DK Shivakumar, and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah.
Shettar, a former BJP president and RSS member, stated that he always worked for the party's growth but was disappointed when he did not receive the ticket for the upcoming elections. He further added that he was contacted by DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Surjewala, and MB Patil, and he came to the Congress without any other option.
The development is significant as Shettar has a considerable following among the Lingayat community, a dominant community in the state that has been traditionally associated with the BJP. This move may give the Congress an edge over the BJP in the upcoming state elections.Shettar's joining of Congress is being seen as a significant development ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state, which are scheduled for 2023. The BJP and Congress are the two main parties in the state, with the former currently in power.
Shettar had previously served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 2012 to 2013, during which he implemented several development projects in the state. However, he was reportedly sidelined by the BJP in recent years, leading to his decision to leave the party.
The Congress party has been making efforts to strengthen its position in the state, and the addition of Shettar to its ranks is expected to bolster its prospects. Commenting on Shettar's joining, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We welcome him to our party. This will strengthen our party further."
The BJP, meanwhile, downplayed the significance of Shettar's exit. Speaking to reporters, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Jagadish Shettar is a senior leader, but his exit from the party will not have any impact. The BJP is a strong party and will continue to work for the development of Karnataka."
The upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka are expected to be closely contested, with both the BJP and Congress vying for power in the state. With Shettar now in the Congress camp, the political equation in the state could undergo significant changes, and it remains to be seen how this development will impact the poll outcome.Shettar's decision to leave the BJP and join Congress is seen as a major blow to the BJP's prospects in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka. Shettar is a prominent Lingayat leader, a community that has traditionally supported the BJP in the state. His exit is likely to hurt the BJP's prospects in the Lingayat-dominated regions of the state.
The development has also sparked speculation about the Congress party's strategy for the upcoming elections. The party has been struggling to find a foothold in Karnataka, where it has been out of power for over a decade. Shettar's entry into the party is seen as a major boost to its chances of winning the elections.
Meanwhile, the BJP has downplayed the significance of Shettar's exit, saying that he was not a prominent leader in the party. However, political analysts say that Shettar's departure is a clear indication of the growing dissent within the BJP in Karnataka, particularly among the Lingayat community.
Overall, the political landscape in Karnataka has become increasingly fluid in the run-up to the assembly elections. With Shettar's defection to the Congress, the balance of power may be shifting in the state, making for an unpredictable and exciting contest.With Shettar's entry into Congress, the party hopes to strengthen its chances in the upcoming state assembly elections. Shettar, who is known to be a mass leader with significant influence in North Karnataka, can prove to be a valuable asset for the Congress in the region where it has struggled to make inroads in the past.
However, Shettar's exit from the BJP has left the party embarrassed, particularly as it comes ahead of the state assembly elections. The move has raised questions about the BJP's ability to retain its leaders and maintain a united front in the state.
The BJP has downplayed Shettar's exit, with Karnataka BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel stating that the party's focus is on the development of the state and not on individuals. He also added that the BJP has a strong leadership in the state and that Shettar's exit will not have any significant impact on the party's prospects in the upcoming elections.
As the political landscape in Karnataka continues to shift, it remains to be seen how Shettar's entry into Congress will impact the upcoming state assembly elections.
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