Nine months after expressing deep disappointment over how he had been treated in the BJP, influential Lingayat leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar made a surprising move by leaving the Congress and returning to the BJP on Thursday. This unexpected development has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
Sources within the BJP have revealed that Shettar is being considered as a potential candidate for the Belagavi Parliamentary seat, with plans to replace the current sitting MP, Mangala Angadi. The two politicians are related. Smt. Angadi’s daughter is married to Mr. Shettar’s son.
By bringing Shettar back into the fold, the BJP is sending a strong signal to the Lingayat community, which holds significant sway in the region.
Shradha Shettar expressed her immense happiness regarding the decision of former CM Jagdish Shettar to leave the Congress party and join the BJP.
During a press conference held in Belagavi on Thursday, she emphasized that Jagdish Shettar’s decision to join the BJP not only brought joy to their family but also to the entire BJP workforce. This event was particularly significant for the people of North Karnataka, marking a momentous occasion.
Regarding her participation in the election for the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency, Shradha Shettar stated that she has yet to discuss the matter. She assured that regardless of whether she is given the ticket or not, she and her family will continue to work diligently for the betterment of their community. She acknowledged that the final decision lies with the party’s High Command, and she fully supports their judgment.
The Congress, on the other hand, has suffered a major setback in its efforts to consolidate the dominant Lingayat vote bank ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. With Yediyurappa, a prominent Lingayat leader, calling the shots and his son Vijayendra serving as the state chief, it is highly likely that the Lingayats will once again rally behind the BJP.
The political landscape in Belagavi has become particularly intense, with rumors swirling about potential changes not only in Belagavi but also in North Karnataka as a whole. The effect of Shettar’s Ghar Wapsi, is yet to be fully understood.
Shettar’s influence extends beyond Belagavi, reaching many districts in North Karnataka, including Dharwad. His return to the BJP is expected to prevent the scattering of BJP votes in Kittur Karnataka.