Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar defies BJP orders, confirms candidacy in assembly elections

HUBBALLI: Though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) instructed former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar to make way for newcomers, Shettar has affirmed that he would contest assembly elections and win with a major margin of about 25,000 votes at any condition.
Confirming to reporters in Hubballi on Tuesday, Shettar said that he received a call from the party's senior leader in Delhi but he refused to reveal the name of the leader.
“I told the leader that I built the party for the past three decades in the North Karnataka region along with the late Anant Kumar, Yediyurappa and others, and have been winning assembly elections at Hubballi Rural and later Hubballi-Dharwad central since 1994. I told the leader that the party should respect my seniority and contribution. Referring to the internal report, which said I have 75 per cent of winnability, I said I don’t have any minus points. I have neither been involved in corruption scandals nor have anti-incumbency in the constituency. Convinced by my explanation, the leader replied that the party would review its decision. I am hopeful that I will get a BJP ticket,” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the leader’s call, he said if the party had a stand of encouraging the new generation, they should have told the same two-three months ago.
“It would have been a respect for us. As they are telling me when the last date to submit nominations is nearing, I am very disappointed. People in my constituency have been very much supportive of our family since Jana Sangh's days when my father was a mayor. I have already started campaigning in my constituency, and I will intensify the same. No question of remaining away from the poll fray,” he said.