Shettar fielded to counter BSY: Sadananda

The BJP’s decision to project Jagadish Shettar as the chief ministerial candidate in the next elections is aimed at countering KJP leader B S Yeddyurappa, who has been claiming himself as the sole leader of the Lingayat community, said former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he added that the BJP is ready to face the polls under Shettar’s leadership. The move will clear the prevailing confusion in the Lingayat community, which is looking for an alternative leader, he added.

Shettar is an influential leader of the Lingayat community in North Karnataka. People of North Karnataka are elated with the BJP’s decision. People of all communities have welcomed the decision. Shettar is capable of leading the party and bringing the party back to power after the next polls, Gowda said.

It is not possible to come for a regional party to come into power. The KJP leader will not get the support of people in north Karnataka. Ever since Yeddyurappa quit the BJP, dissident activities have stopped in the party, he added.

New State chief

The BJP high command has decided to appoint a new State unit president soon. The decision on the new president is left to the party leadership, he added.