Shettar will campaign in NK region

Hubballi: The Congress party, which was finding it difficult to woo Lingayat voters due to a lack of Lingayat leaders, in North Karnataka, is now roping in Jagadish Shettar, who recently joined the party to woo Lingayats.
Former CM Jagadish Shettar left BJP and joined Congress after he was denied a ticket to contest for the 7th term. Congress gave him the ticket to contest from H-D Central.
Shettar has instilled some confidence among Congress leaders and workers and they hope his presence will help them attract Lingayat votes in a few districts of the region.
When he joined Congress, Shettar had said him quitting BJP will have an impact on BJP’s prospects in 20-25 seats in NK. Now, Congress is planning to attract BJP’s traditional Lingayat voters.
A senior congress functionary said: “Congress has also given star campaigner status to Shettar as we are expecting his presence will increase the vote share of the party in some districts where Lingayats are dominant. We had only one or two big Lingayat leaders in the region, but Shettar is a known face. His experience and status will help Congress candidates woo Lingayats easily.”
He added that Shettar is also narrating the story of how he was denied the ticket and how Lingayat leaders were humiliated by BJP. “It is going to win the confidence of Lingayat voters in the north Karnataka. Senior Congress leaders and other star campaigners are expected to campaign for Shettar in his constituency to defeat BJP as Shettar is now touring other districts, he said
Shettar told TOI, “The Congress leadership has asked me to tour Vijayapura, Koppal, Haveri, Gadag and other districts to woo voters. Apart from campaigning in my constituency, I am campaigning in neighbouring districts too.”
"When I joined Congress, I expressed my willingness to travel across the region to strengthen the party, hence, the high command has given me the responsibility to campaign for other candidates. I have campaigned in Koppal, Sindagi, Muddebihal, Talikoti and other constituencies. I am also campaigning in both Lingayat dominated constituencies and reserved constituencies. I am trying my best to use my political influence to draw Lingayat and other voters to Congress. During my absence, local leaders and party workers will campaign in my constituency,” he said.