Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has joined the Indian National Congress a day after quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shettar had resigned from the Karnataka assembly after he was denied a ticket for the upcoming assembly polls in the state. His departure from the BJP was criticized by top BJP leaders, including Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who called it a “betrayal” and “unpardonable”. The BJP claimed that Shettar was pressured by the Congress Party and its leaders including Rahul Gandhi to leave the BJP.
Jagadish Shettar had been with the BJP for two decades and has held several posts including that of Chief Minister of Karnataka in 2012. However, his political career hit a roadblock when he was denied a ticket to contest the upcoming assembly polls. Shettar claimed that he had not been consulted by the BJP leadership before the selection process and that he had been given no reason for his exclusion. He also alleged that the party had succumbed to pressure from some local leaders who had opposed his nomination.
Shettar’s exit from the BJP has raised eyebrows in political circles, especially as he was seen as a key BJP leader in Karnataka. Some analysts speculate that his resignation could signal a larger problem of discontent within the BJP, which has been grappling with infighting and factionalism in the state. There have been reports of discontent among BJP leaders in Karnataka over the selection process for the upcoming polls, with several prominent leaders being denied tickets.
The Congress Party, on the other hand, has welcomed Shettar’s entry, calling it a “significant boost” to the party’s prospects in Karnataka. Congress leaders have said that Shettar’s decision to join the party is a reflection of the “massive wave” of support for the Congress in the state. The party has already announced its candidates for the upcoming polls and is hoping to regain power in the state.
The Karnataka assembly polls are crucial for both the BJP and the Congress, as the state is seen as a key political battleground ahead of the 2024 general elections. The BJP currently holds power in the state, but the Congress is hoping to make a comeback with its strategy of focusing on local issues and highlighting the failures of the BJP government.
The Congress Party has been working on building alliances with other parties in the state, including the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) and smaller regional parties. The party has also been using social media and other digital platforms to reach out to voters, especially the younger generation. With Shettar’s entry, the Congress is hoping to further enhance its prospects in the state and make significant gains in the upcoming polls.
While Shettar’s departure from the BJP may have surprised many, it remains to be seen how he will fare with the Congress, especially given that he has been a BJP loyalist for so long. The Congress will need to work hard to win the trust of Shettar and other BJP leaders who may be considering a similar move. However, with the polls just around the corner, the Congress will need to act quickly to ensure that it can benefit from Shettar’s political experience and popularity in the state.
