Veteran leader Jagadish Shettar, who recently returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a brief stint with the ruling Congress, is optimistic about his chances of being elected to the Lok Sabha from Belagavi district in the upcoming elections. Addressing the perceived dispute between Marathas and Kannadigas, Shettar emphasized the harmonious relationship between the two communities, stating that they are like brothers with no differences.
In an interview with ANI on Monday, the former Karnataka chief minister expressed his confidence, stating, “I am in regular contact with all fellow party workers and the people in Belagavi. This place holds a special place in my heart. I am confident of repaying the faith that the party has vested in me. I am hopeful of being elected an MP from the Belagavi district.”
Shettar’s return to the BJP comes after the party released its fifth list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, fielding him from Belgaum. Former state minister K Sudhakar will contest from Chikballapur. Shettar replaces sitting MP Mangala Angadi in Belagavi, who was denied renomination.
Having previously served as a six-time MLA from the constituency, Shettar’s return to the BJP marks a significant political development. He had briefly switched to the Congress after being denied a ticket in last year’s assembly elections but returned to the BJP in January.
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, scheduled in two phases on April 26 and May 7, will witness a keenly contested battle. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged victorious with 25 seats, while the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) won one seat each despite their alliance against the BJP.
The Lok Sabha Elections 2024, set to commence on April 19 in seven phases, hold significant political significance as parties and candidates gear up to contest fiercely for parliamentary representation. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
Sources By Agencies