Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, tendered his resignation as an Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA to Karnataka Assembly Speaker, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, at Sirsi on Sunday.On being asked whether he will be joining Congress, the former Karnataka chief minister said, “I have not decided yet.”
Earlier, on Sunday, Shettar said some Karnataka BJP leaders were mishandling the party in the State.“I am going to tender my resignation as an MLA and will also resign from the primary membership of the party.
Later, I will decide my next course of action, whether I have to fight independently or with a party.The ill-treatment and humiliation by the senior leaders of the party have hurt me a lot.My decision (to resign from BJP) is final.Some state leaders are mishandling the BJP system in Karnataka,” Shettar told media.
Shettar, a six-time MLA from the constituency, was reportedly advised by the party to stand down and not seek a fresh term as MLA from the Hubli-Dharwad Central segment, following which his followers expressed their anguish against the party’s high command.
Hours after Jagadish Shettar resigned as BJP MLA, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said the former’s move has pained him.Speaking to reporters, Bommai said that he is “pained and disturbed” by the resignation of the former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader.Further Bommai said that Shettar has been a seasoned and significant leader of this region.He also said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Shettar personally on Saturday, April 15.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to bring changes in this static politics.The BJP president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised a big position at the central level to Shettar.The name of Shettar was on the list of the district-level core committee but the denial of the ticket was the decision of the high command.
The time has come to bring the changes,” Bommai said.
