Jagadish Shettar, former CM of Karnataka. file | Photo Credit: PTI
Former Chief Minister of Karnataka Jagdish Shettar, who has also served as the first speaker, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka and a minister in the state cabinet, has now attracted national attention for defying party diktats . Retire from active politics. Hailing from a family long associated with the Jana Sangh, Mr Shettar shocked the BJP high command by rebelling against the saffron party. senior lingayat leader Decision to leave BJP And join congress party Kittur can influence the political equations in the Karnataka region. in an interview given to Hindu Mr Shettar outlines the reasons his decision, Excerpts:
You have been associated with BJP for a long time. Why the shift to Congress?
I have been working for the last 30 years to strengthen the party in the state, especially in the North Karnataka region. I not only strengthened the party but also won the election six times in a row with a huge margin of around 25,000 votes. I wanted to contest again and started preparing. But at the last moment, the party’s Karnataka in-charge called me on the telephone to tell me that I had arrived denied ticket, He asked me to issue a press release as per the draft given by him that I am retiring from active politics. I asked him the reason for the party’s decision. I tried to know whether it is due to my age or any negative survey report, any scam or any corruption or criminal charges. But no answer came. Party’s national president JP Nadda also did not answer my questions. I was hurt, my self-respect got hurt. Not only did he hurt my self-respect, but also disrespected the people who elected me six times in a row. So I decided to leave. This fight is for my self respect.
Do you mean you were ready to leave the party, did they follow due process before asking you to leave?
Yes, if he had treated me with respect and informed me about the party’s decision in advance, I would have agreed immediately. They say that the party is first and the person second. But in the process of issuing tickets, the choice of one person i.e. BL Santosh, National Organization Secretary of the party [choice], came first and not of the party. Mr Santosh’s intention was to get his ‘disciple’ Mahesh Tenginakai a party ticket and he managed to get it done by keeping the high command in the dark.
Does Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai see you as a contender for the post of Chief Minister? Was this the reason for your ticket cancellation?
Certainly, there are many contenders for the post of Chief Minister, including Mr. Bommai, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Mr. Santosh himself and others. And as I am the senior-most Lingayat leader after former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, they saw me as a potential threat. Actually, I told him that I will give in writing on the bond paper that I will not work for the post but as an MLA. However, this too was not considered.
What will happen to your association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) after you switch to the Congress?
I have been associated with RSS for a long time. But after joining Congress, my association with RSS as an organization will end. However, my personal relations with RSS leaders will continue.
There is an allegation that Congress ill-treats Lingayat leaders and the same will happen to you.
I don’t agree. The Congress has fielded around 50 Lingayat leaders. Important portfolios were given to leaders like MB Patil during the Congress government. Actually, BJP’s hidden agenda is to form a government without any dependency. on Lingayat, This thinking has grown in BJP.
What will be the effect of your leaving BJP?
My decision to leave BJP will affect the party at least on 20-22 seats. Lingayat leaders in many districts have followed my lead in joining the Congress.
Are there any pressures on your followers not to support you?
Yes. Some councilors have been forced to stay back. Though he is physically with the BJP, he is mentally with me. I do not have crores of revenue, so I am not afraid of any IT (Income Tax) raid or ED (Enforcement Directorate) raid.
Is the current election a do or die situation for you?
I don’t think it’s a do or die situation. I will be in active politics for the next 10 years.
What will be your position in Congress now? What is your assessment about the election?
I have joined Congress as a common worker and have not asked for any post. I will continue to work as a worker and I believe things are getting better for Congress and it will form the next government.