Senior BJP leaders convened two emergency meetings in Belagavi recently amidst swirling speculations that the party’s high command might replace MP Mangala Angadi with Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Minister. The first meeting took place in a private office, while the second was hosted at the residence of Prabhakar Kore, a former Rajya Sabha member.
The gatherings saw the presence of prominent figures including Iranna Kadadi, Rajya Sabha member, Abhay Patil, MLA, and former MLAs Anil Benake and Vishwanath Patil, alongside M.B. Zirli and various district unit office-bearers like Virupaksha Mamani. Notably absent were members from the Jarkiholi and Angadi families. Although attendees officially denied any opposition to the proposed change, reports suggest a strong resistance to fielding outsiders.
Speculations are rife that Jagadish Shettar might be nominated by the party for the Belagavi seat. Shettar, who had been promised an MP seat upon his return from the Congress, had expressed interest in contesting from Dharwad initially. However, party leaders assured him that the constituency would be decided at a later stage.
Iranna Kadadi MP Rajyasabha, who is also an aspirant for the Lok Sabha ticket, said that the fact was that several local leaders were aspiring for the ticket. “There are some things that can only be communicated to the party high command and not in public,” he said. He denied allegations that the apparent rifts among party leaders had led the high command to impose an outsider on them. “We are all members of a disciplined party. The final decision lies with the high command and we will abide by it,” he said.
Other names in contention include Ramesh Katti, former MP from Chikkodi, and former Minister Murugesh Nirani. Katti had shown interest in the Chikkodi seat, but the party opted to maintain MP Anna Saheb Jolle’s candidature. Iranna Kadadi, another contender for the Lok Sabha ticket, acknowledged the plethora of local leaders vying for candidacy. He stressed that certain matters were best communicated to the party’s high command rather than publicly.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, addressing media personnel on Saturday, expressed confidence in securing the BJP ticket to contest from the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat. “The third list might be released on Sunday. I am optimistic that my candidacy will be officially confirmed tomorrow. I have consented to contest from the Belagavi MP seat,” Shettar affirmed.