'BJP left me disappointed': Jagadish Shettar joins Congress

In a setback to the BJP and a major gain for the Congress ahead of the May 10 Karnataka Elections, former CM Jagadish Shettar formally joined the grand old party. Built BJP State unit but feel humiliated now, said Shettar, who joined Congress in the presence of its national president Mallikharjun Kharge, who also hails from Karnataka.

Bengaluru (Karnataka) : Politics of one-upmanship picked up momentum in the run-up to the May 10 Karnataka Assembly Elections. Congress's efforts to lure BJP rebels are turning out to be a success. Former CM Jagdish Shettar joined Congress today in the presence of its national president Mallikharjun Kharge and Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar.

Now, Shettar will be given a prominent place in Congress politics in the Hubbali constituency. Speaking on the occasion, Kharge said that the Congress welcomes Shettar into its fold and that the former CM has accepted the Congress party's ideology to maintain his self-respect. Shettar announced that he had joined the Congress in what is seen as a strong rebel jolt to the saffron camp at a time when the battle for the Assembly polls is intensifying.

Earlier, Congress bigwigs made a strong bid to lure Jagadish Shettar after he had announced that he was fed with the politics in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and resigned from the post of MLA and from the primary membership of the saffron party. After this, Karnataka Congress in-charge Surjewala, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar met Jagadish Shettar in Bengaluru after his resignation from the BJP.

"Many may be surprised by my decision. BJP left me disappointed. Is this the way they treat seniors? I was ignored and nobody understood me. Came to know I won't be given a ticket. I built Karnataka BJP unit but now I feel humiliated," said Shettar, speaking after formally joining the Congress party. The former CM further said that a select few have taken control of the BJP and that he was hurt that none understood him in the saffron camp.

Mallikarjuna Kharge first welcomed Shettar with a bouquet and then Venugopal gave him the party flag. Speaking at the press conference, DK Shivakumar said that today is the day that brought a change in the politics of the state and that it is a very important day for Congress. Jagdish Shettar, the most gentlemanly politician and six-time MLA, who has been in politics for 40-45 years without any stigma, is joining Congress, he said.

Shivakumar said that Shettar had worked hard for the rival party and enjoyed many levels of power but now due to his present experiences, such a great leader is joining Congress in a way that all Congressmen are proud of. Amar Singh Patil, who was a former Member of Parliament, is also joining the Congress, he said.

On his part, Kharge said that Shettar used his power and worked hard for the prosperity of the BJP. Today, by joining the Congress party, he has increased the power of the Congress in that part and Shettar's father had also been involved in state politics for a long time. Rahul Gandhi has given a target of winning 150 seats in the state and now after the joining of Jagdish Shettar, we are certain that it will be easy. Kharge said that he is confident that the Congress will win North, South, East and West constituencies as well.