No impact of regional parties on polls: CM

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Sunday that regional parties would make no impact in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State.

Speaking after inaugurating a meeting of BJP workers from Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Uttara Kannada districts at the party office here, he said Congress was the main opponent for BJP in the next Assembly elections.

Hence, the activists should concentrate on defeating Congress candidates in the elections. There is no dissidence among the party leaders. BJP has become a major political party in the State by not giving importance to individuals. Lakhs of workers have struggled to build the party, he said.

“We held a meeting with BJP MLAs and MPs of 15 districts following the present political crisis (resignation of Yeddyurappa). They have promised us that they will be loyal to the party which has given them positions.

So, I am confident that the government will complete its full term. I have become chief minister due to the struggle of lakhs of party activists. No leader can win any election without the support of workers.”

State BJP president K S Eshwarappa, BJP national general secretary Ananth Kumar and Rajya Sabha member Ayanur Manjunath were present.