Bengaluru: Congress on Monday announced former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who left the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress before the Karnataka Assembly Election, as a candidate for the upcoming Legislative Council by-election.
Shettar was defeated in the assembly elections. Tippanappa Kamaknoor and NS Boseraju have also been fielded by Congress as its candidates for the MLC bypoll.
Just before the Karnataka Assembly elections in May, three big BJP leaders—Laxman Savadi, Baburao Chianchansur and R Shankar—left the BJP after the saffron party denied them tickets. After these three eminent leaders, Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar left the BJP and joined the Congress after being denied a ticket. He contested from Hubli Dharwad Central seat on a Congress ticket but lost the election.
Step to Lure Lingayat voters
Ever since Shettar’s electoral defeat, the Congress has been mulling over how to accommodate the Lingayat leader ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Voting will be held on June 30
The ruling party Congress has the upper hand with 135 seats. The election is to be held on June 30 and the results will be declared on the same day.
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