New Delhi (India), April 17, 2023: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar made headlines on Monday as he joined the Congress party in Bengaluru. Shettar, a prominent Lingayat leader and six-time MLA, was welcomed into the party by its national president, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KPCC president, DK Shivakumar.
He is expected to contest from the Hubballi-Dharwad central constituency on a Congress ticket after being denied one by the BJP.
Shettar had held a key meeting with Congress leaders including Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and Randeep Surjewala on Sunday, where he explained his terms. He had also slammed the BJP, accusing them of ill-treatment and humiliation. His departure from the party is expected to have an impact on the Hubballi-Dharwad region.
Reacting to Shettar’s move, Karnataka Chief Minister Bommai said that they had tried to pacify him with an offer of a key position in New Delhi and an assembly ticket for a family member.
However, Shettar was adamant about getting an assembly ticket for himself. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Yediyurappa expressed his displeasure at Shettar’s decision and said that he would campaign against him if he contests on a Congress ticket.
