Ex-Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar Rejoins BJP. Who Is He?

NEW DELHI: On Thursday, former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who had previously joined the Congress ahead of the state Assembly elections last year, returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This move follows efforts by former chief minister B S Yediyurappa to persuade Shettar to rejoin the BJP.

Shettar’s shift to the Congress in April 2023 occurred after he was overlooked for the Hubbali Dharwad Assembly segment by the BJP.

Expressing his discontent at the time, Shettar stated that his “self-respect was hurt” and highlighted the neglect of his seniority.

Unfortunately, he lost the election to Mahesh Tenginakai of the BJP, marking his first absence from the Assembly since 1994.

Who is Jagadish Shettar?

A prominent Lingayat figure in Karnataka, Shettar is a six-time MLA and served as the 15th chief minister of the state from 2012 to 2013.

Additionally, he held the position of Leader of the Opposition from 2014 to 2018 during Siddaramaiah’s term in power.

Shettar initiated his political career as a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).