Staunch BJP man Jagadish Shettar has roots in Jan Sangh

Hubli, June 5 (UNI) Popularly known as 'Ajaat Shatru' in Northern parts of Karnataka, Mr Jagadish Shettar hailed from a family that gave first Jana Sangh legislator to the state Legislative Assembly.

A friend to everyone, whether it is political 'foe' or the family of the saffron brigade, Mr Shettar is the son of S S Shettar, who also elected five times to the Hubli municipality. He also became the first Jana sangh Mayor of the city municipality.

His uncle late Sadashiv Shettar, was the first Jan Sangh leader in the South to get elected to the Assembly from Hubli city in 1967.

The ever smiling Jagadish Shettar began his career with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and participated actively in all its activities before becoming an active member of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh.

In 1990 he became the president of Hubli rural unit of the BJP and in 1994 Dharwad district unit president.

In 1996 he emerged on the state scene by becoming the BJP state unit Secretary and in 1999 Leader of Opposition in the state assembly and successfully held the position for five years.

Mr Shettar went on to climb the party ladder and emerged as the State unit President of the party in 2005 and went on to become the Revenue Minister in the JD(S)-BJP coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy in 2006.

Born at Kerur village of Badami taluk in Bagalkot district on December 17, 1955, Mr Shettar had been a noted lawyer at Hubli Bar for over 20 years.

He had actively participated in pro-people and pro-farmer agitation and fought for the development of North Karnataka region, especially the Bombay-Karnatak region.

His never say die spirit resulted in establishment of South-Western railway zone at Hubli.

Interested in reading and literature, Mr Shettar had also worked as journalist for few years, besides, participating in debates and enacting solo roles in plays.

His wife is Shilpa Shettar and the couple are blessed with two sons Prashant and Sankalpa.

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