Shettar gets a rousing welcome in Hubballi, wife breaks into tears

Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who joined Congress on Monday returned to Hubballi to an emotional welcome.

Jagadish Shettar's wife Shilpa broke down after seeing him back home as supporters cheered and raised slogans congratulating him. She later wished him all the best for his future innings.

After being denied a ticket by the BJP for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections 2023, the Lingayat leader on Monday joined the Congress in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, KPCC president DK Shivakumar and Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Siddaramaiah at the party office in Bengaluru.

Lashing out at the BJP for humiliating him and not giving him a chance for an honourable exit, the former State BJP president said he was beginning a new episode in his life by joining the Congress.

The decision to part ways with the BJP came after the 67-year old six time MLA, a former Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, ex-Speaker and a party president in the past, was denied ticket to contest from the Hubli-Dharwad (Central) segment, which he represented in the outgoing Lower House.

The Congress was emboldened by Shettar's move. ''With this, the Lingayats will turn against the BJP and shift towards the Congress'', the party's Campaign Committee Chairman M B Patil said.

Shettar, who resigned as MLA on Sunday, was asked by the BJP top brass to make way for others as part of the party's strategy to groom the next generation of leaders but he was firm on contesting.

(with PTI inputs)