News18 contacted voters to see if Shettar’s fight against the BJP would be successful or not. (File pic: Twitter @JagadishShettar)
The six-time MLA who opened the doors of North Karnataka to the Bharatiya Janata Party is now with the Congress
Like Chennamma, Shettar is also fighting a battle against the mighty BJP. Like him, he is seething with anger at the humiliation that the BJP chose to field a young face and denied him a ticket for the assembly polls. The BJP’s loss was the Congress’ gain as the opposition party happily opened its doors to him in the hope that he would do for it what the stalwart has done for the BJP.
News18 contacted voters to see if Shettar’s fight against the BJP would be successful or not. The response has been mixed and it may not be an easy journey for the former chief minister.
Four first-time voters talk excitedly about what will be their first election experience. Over a plate of Bisi Bele Bhaat and Misal Vada, Aditya and Aayush told me that they wanted to vote for Vikas. In contrast to Aayush, Aditya said, “There is such a thing as loyalty. We are young and we want to give a chance. He (Shettar) has been an MLA six times. Maybe he should have allowed someone else to become an MLA. But he showed lack of ideology and went to the party which he has been attacking for so many years.”
But Aayush says the party doesn’t matter, what matters is the candidate and his promises. “Look, all parties are more or less the same. Who will give us what we want, who will I vote for.”
A little further away is another landmark of Hubli. Famous Hiremath indentured center. Girmit is a puffed rice snack that is specific to Hubli and is similar to Bhel Puri. Hiremath has been in operation for 70 years and the son who now runs it says that Hubli is synonymous with this center and believes in loyalty.
Hiremath junior told me that many leaders like Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Jagadish Shettar, Prahlad Joshi etc. have eaten the girmit made by him. And when I asked him about Shettar, he told me, “It’s about loyalty. He can join any party but he remains Shettar for us.” It is clear who Hiremath is supporting.
But the road will not be easy for Jagadish Shettar. The man who ensured that the Congress was kept out of north Karnataka may find it difficult to convince voters that his jump does not mean he is desperate to come to power.
As the owner of the famous Renuka Peda Shop told me, “It is about money and the desperation to stay in power, come what may. What is wrong if a minor gets a ticket? He has been in power for so long.”
The BJP’s choice from here is Mahesh Tengnakai, who, like Shettar, belongs to the Lingayat caste. He has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for more than two decades. And like Shettar, he also has control over the Hubli-Dharwad region.
BJP is confident that he will win. “We are 100% sure that Shettar will lose. He has cheated us. The post cannot be above the party,” Prahlad Joshi said.
This is something many youngsters like Aditya agree with. Not many are ready to be vocal about Shettar’s future, but it is clear that Hubballi will vote for development, caste and possibly change.
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