The Karnataka BJP faces its first major rebellion by a senior leader less than a month away from voting day in the assembly election. BJP MLA and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar announced he is upset after the party asked him to make way for others and indicated he won't be given a ticket.
Mr Shettar, the MLA from Hubballi, has won six elections in the past. He won by over 21,000 votes in the last assembly election in 2018, defeating his Congress rival Mahesh Nalwad.
"Last six elections I got elected with a margin of more than 21,000 votes. What are my minus points?" Mr Shettar, looking visibly upset, told reporters. "I am very disappointed. I have already started campaigning in my constituency, and I will intensify it. There is no question of staying away from election," he added.
The BJP is expected to release its Karnataka candidates' list tonight. The party's election committee including Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Delhi over the weekend to finalise the names.
Former Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa, who was also asked to make room for others in this election, has agreed not to contest. In a letter to BJP chief JP Nadda, Mr Eshwarappa said he is retiring from electoral politics.
Mr Shettar, citing "no blot" in his political career, said he has asked the party leadership to let him contest this time also.
"I ask only one question - I won six times, have no blot in my career and have no allegations against me. So why am I being excluded? I want to tell the party to allow me to contest, otherwise it won't be good for the party," said the BJP MLA who was Chief Minister in 2012.
The ruling BJP in Karnataka is looking to win another term
He stopped shorted of announcing he will contest as an independent if he is not given a ticket, but his threat indicated he could do it.
"I have pledged my loyalty to the BJP. Even the (party's) recent survey (on election) proved that I have an edge. But I am disappointed after getting the call from the party leadership," Mr Shettar told reporters.
The BJP tends to bring in new, younger faces before state elections, as was seen in Gujarat last year before the assembly election. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, former deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and former state party president RC Faldu, among others, had written letters agreeing to the request by the BJP leadership to make way for others.
"I will ask the party to define seniority so that there is no confusion about how they decide who gets to contest. I have a clean image and won Hubballi with good numbers," Mr Shettar said.
An unhappy Mr Shettar could pose a problem for the BJP in Hubballi and the North Karnataka region, where he is an influential figure.
The former Chief Minister has been associated with many reforms including the Kalasa Banduri drinking water project, construction of the assembly building in Belagavi and bringing the South Western Railways headquarters to the Hubballi-Dharwad region.
He comes from the powerful Lingayat community, whose support every party seeks.
Karnataka will vote on May 10; votes will be counted three days later.
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