Last Updated: January 25, 2024, 13:54 IST
Former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar along with JP Nadda and BS Yediyurappa. (ANI)
Shettar belongs to the politically influential Lingayat community. He had left the BJP over denial of ticket.
Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who joined the Congress last year before Karnataka assembly election, rejoined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday.
The 68-year-old Shettar, a staunch RSS man and a senior BJP leader, switched to Congress after he was denied a ticket during the 2023 assembly election. He belongs to the politically influential Lingayat community.
The leader along with former deputy CM Laxman Savadi was among the high-profile departures from BJP just before state polls.
Rejoining the BJP in New Delhi, Shettar said, “Suring assembly election I resigned, and the party workers were upset and wanted me back.” Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa called his return “a great strength to party”.
Shettar further said, “I once again look forward to work under the leadership of Narendra Modi ji who is doing so much for the nation.”
On Wednesday, Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar had accused the BJP of “desperately trying” to get back Shettar into its fold ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking to reporters at the Bayalukuppe in Mysuru district, Shivakumar said, “Many BJP leaders are desperately trying for the return of Shettar who is with the Congress party now. This is a tell-tale sign of weakness in the party. They don’t have candidates for the upcoming general elections.”
(details to follow)