In a surprising turn of events, a veteran leader of the Karnataka Congress, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, has openly supported BJP MP BY Raghavendra for re-election in the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency. Shivashankarappa made this statement during the Guru Basavashri Award Pradhan and Spirituality Conference held in Bekkina Kalmata, Shivmogga, where he himself received the Guru Basavashri award.
Expressing his observation of the development works in the Shivamogga district, Shivashankarappa praised Raghavendra’s performance as an MP and urged the public to elect him again. He emphasized the need for further development in the district and highlighted the completion of various projects. Shivashankarappa also emphasized the importance of unity among the Veerashaiva Lingayats, urging the removal of sub-sects and fostering a sense of equality.
This endorsement by a prominent Congress leader comes as a setback for the party, following former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar’s return to the BJP. Shettar, who had joined the Congress ahead of the 2023 legislative elections, rejoined the BJP in the presence of key party leaders, including BS Yediyurappa and Amit Shah. Shettar cited his belief that the Bharatiya Janata Party is his true political home and expressed his willingness to follow the directives of the party’s high command.
BS Yediyurappa, a senior BJP leader, welcomed Shettar’s return to the party, stating that Shettar had been contemplating this decision for some time. Yediyurappa also mentioned his intention to contact former BJP leader Laxman Savadi, who had previously left the party but might consider rejoining.
The Congress leaders in Karnataka responded to these developments by suggesting that the BJP’s leadership crisis in the state influenced Shettar’s decision to return. It is worth noting that Shettar had initially left the BJP to join the Congress in April 2023, just before the Karnataka assembly elections.
These unexpected political shifts have added to the intrigue surrounding the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, leaving both the Congress and the BJP to strategize and regroup in the face of changing alliances and loyalties.
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