Jagadish Shettar likely to join Congress on Monday

Disgruntled former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar resigned as MLA on Sunday after expressing anguish over denial of ticket to contest in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, and launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying 'those who had built the party are being thrown out of their own house'.

Congress sources said Shettar is in talks with senior party leaders and may join the Congress on Monday.

The sources told PTI that Shettar flew from Hubballi to Bengaluru on Sunday in a special helicopter and held discussions with Congress general secretary (Karnataka in-charge) Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress state chief D K Shivakumar, former minister M B Patil and veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

Meanwhile, shortly after the 67-year-old six-time MLA, who had also said he would quit the party, tendered his resignation, Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa, slammed him for deserting the outfit, and said people would not pardon him for his move.

Shettar, an influential Lingayat leader from north Karnataka, and sitting MLA from Hubli-Dharwad Central, said some people with their vested interests had hatched a conspiracy to not field him this time.

"Today those who are originally from the BJP are being thrown out from the party. Today I am going out from my own house. I have been driven out of my own house. This has hurt me deeply. Against this background, I have resigned from the legislature assembly," Shettar told reporters.

He said the party's central leadership has not given any reason for not accommodating him.

"Was age factor a reason? No. Were there any health issues? I am in good health. Did I run any club or indulged in unlawful activities or am I a rowdy sheeter? Nothing. There was no CD (sex scandal)," the veteran leader said.

Recalling his contribution to the party, Shettar said he had worked with utmost integrity to build it for the past 30 years and the BJP too rewarded him position and respect. "Because of my work there is a party's presence in the rural areas. Today the party has grown strong under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Asked about Yediyurappa's statement that the party gave Shettar power and position but still he left the outfit, he sought to know why the former quit the BJP (more than a decade ago) and formed the Karnataka Janata Party. (Yediyurppa subsequently returned to the BJP)

"Yediyurappa too was given a good position. Why did he quit the BJP?" Shettar asked.