States »SoutPosted at: Jul 28 2021 8:26PM Ex-Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar opts out of Ministerial race citing seniority
(Rptg, correcting error in headline)
Bengaluru, Jul 28 (UNI) Former chief minister of Karnataka and 65-years-old Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar has decided to opt out of ministerial race citing his seniority.
"After the assumption of the new Chief Minister. I congratulate Basavaraj Bommai for assuming charge as the Chief Minister. The process of formation of new ministry has started. I do not know when it will be completed. It may take two to four days, I do not know," he said.
"However, I have taken decision not to join the new ministry because I was former chief minister. Some may argue that didn't I work when BSY was the chief minister. Okay. Since Yediyurappa was senior to me, I worked in his ministry as the revenue minister. Keeping this criterion in view, I have decided to not join the new ministry, the process of which has begun," he said.
In the previous ministry under Yediyurappa-led government, Shettar was a cabinet minister holding large and medium scale industries, excluding sugar and public enterprise department.
Shettar was 21st chief minister of Karnataka from 2012 to 2013. In July 2012, several BJP MLAs owing allegiance to Yediyurappa called for the replacement of DV Sadananda Gowda with Shettar. After much turmoil, the central leadership agreed to make him the chief minister and was sworn-in on 12 July 2012.
Ahead of assembly polls held in May 2013, BJP declared Shettar as its chief ministerial candidate but the party failed to retain power and Shettar had to resign. The BJP had suffered a massive loss in the May 2013 assembly elections as the Congress wrested Karnataka.
Shettar also had served as Leader of the Opposition in the state legislative assembly. He was also the Speaker during 2008-2009.
He said he has informed the state party president Nalin Kumar Kateel and other senior leaders and soon would inform Bommai.
Asked if central leadership pressured him to do so, Shettar said, "This is my personal decision. Whatever it may be a new chief minister has assumed charge and the process of forming the ministry has begun."
Asked he is aspiring a good post in the party, Shettar said, "I am not aspiring for any post. Whatever role the party gives me I will firmly obey it just as I did earlier as a minister or a party worker. I will give time for the party."
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