Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Sunday said that he wanted to contest the May 10 Assembly elections from Hubali-Dharwad-Central but was denied the ticket. His decision came after the party's central leadership made it clear that he would not be given a ticket to contest the polls. He submitted his resignation to the Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri at Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district today.
"I wanted only the MLA seat for Hubali-Dharwad-Central..." Jagadish Shettar told media persons, as quoted by news agency ANI.
"Why have they given tickets to 76-year-old people? I am 67, and so many elder persons are there. Why were they not replaced?" he questioned when asked about the BJP's reasoning that the party wanted to give opportunity to young leaders.
He said he will meet the people of Huballi and decide the next course of action. He did not confirm speculation of joining the Congress and said that nothing is decided.
"Party has given position and respect. I also contributed to the organisation of the party, specially in North Karnataka. I had contributed to the growth of the BJP," Jagadish Shettar added.
BJP Offered Jagadish Shettar Ministerial Position: Yediyurappa
Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai in Hubballi said the BJP had promised him a big post in Delhi.
"Jagadish Shettar has been a senior and an important leader in this region. JP Nadda and Union Home Minister had promised a big post in Delhi to Shettar. Everything would have been fine if the former CM had continued," Bommai told the media, as quoted by ANI.
Karnataka BJP strongman BS Yediyurappa criticised Shettar for his decision to quit the party saying the people would not pardon him.
"We made him (Jagadish Shettar) the CM of Karnataka, and we made him the state BJP president. The statements given by him have made us unhappy. People knew about Jagadish Shettar only because of BJP," former chief minister Yediyurappa said.
"People from Karnataka will not forgive Jagadish Shettar. Dharmendra Pradhan had offered Jagadish Shettar, a ministerial position in the cabinet. We had offered a ticket to Jagadish Shatter's family. But he didn't respond to it," he added.
The veteran Karnataka leader said Shettar would be welcomed back if he changes his mind. "I want to ask Jagadish Shettar why is he joining Congress. If he comes back to BJP, we will welcome him," Yediyurappa remarked.
This comes as a jolt to Karnataka BJP which recently lost former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi for denying him a ticket. He joined the Congress on Saturday and the party fielded him from the Athani constituency.
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