<p>In a surprising turn of events, former Chief Minister from India's southwestern&nbsp;state of Karnataka, Jagadish Shettar,&nbsp;rejoined the BJP just months after crying foul of "ill-treatment" by the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I am rejoining with the belief Narendra Modiji has to become prime minister again," said Shettar on Thursday (Jan 25).</p>

<p>He was welcomed back into the BJP fold after being signed off&nbsp;by Home Minister Amit Shah. The event took place at BJP's Delhi headquarters in the presence of Karnataka unit chief BY Vijayendra and ex-Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.</p>

<p>Earlier, Shettar acknowledged that there were some "issues" which led to his departure from the BJP. However, he said, "In the last eight or nine months, there were a lot of discussions. BJP workers asked me to come back...Yediyurappaji and Vijayendraji also wanted me to come back... so I am rejoining."</p>

<p>Notably, the former minister left the BJP before the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election and joined the Congress after being denied a ticket by the BJP national leadership.&nbsp;He&nbsp;fought on a Congress ticket but faced a substantial defeat from the Hubbali (Hubli)-Central Dharwad constituency, where he had served as a six-term MLA.</p>

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<h2><strong>Congress reacts to Jagadish Shettar's defection</strong></h2>

<p>The Congress, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, issued a sharp rebuke on Shettar's resignation.</p>

<p>"He (Shettar) joined the Congress stating BJP disrespected him... we gave him a ticket for the Assembly election, made him MLC after he lost...so he wasn't disrespected in the Congress nor was injustice done," said&nbsp;Siddaramaiah.</p>

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<p>Siddaramaiah and state Congress President D K Shivakumar highlighted that the Congress treated Shettar with respect when he joined ahead of last year's Assembly polls, contrasting it with the BJP's denial of a ticket.</p>

<p>Shivakumar expressed surprise at Shettar's reversal, stating, "Congress had trusted the senior leader, but now you (media) are showing that&nbsp;trust is being breached."</p>

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<p>He questioned, "Did he (Shettar) not know about national interest when he was not given the ticket (by BJP)? Did he not know about Congress and national interest when Congress made him MLC for five years?"</p>

<p>"He (Shettar) has to say what allurements were given to him. I can only say that Congress treated him respectfully....all of us have conscience, he too will have conscience,"&nbsp;Shivakumar further said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a surprising turn of events, former Chief Minister from India's southwestern state of Karnataka, Jagadish Shettar, rejoined the BJP just months after crying foul of "ill-treatment" by the party.

In a surprising turn of events, former Chief Minister from India's southwestern state of Karnataka, Jagadish Shettar, rejoined the BJP just months after crying foul of "ill-treatment" by the party. "I am rejoining with the belief Narendra Modiji has to become prime minister again," said Shettar on Thursday (Jan 25). He was welcomed back into the BJP fold after being signed off by Home Minister Amit Shah. The event took place at BJP's Delhi headquarters in the presence of Karnataka unit chief BY Vijayendra and ex-Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. Earlier, Shettar acknowledged that there were some "issues" which led to his departure from the BJP. However, he said, "In the last eight or nine months, there were a lot of discussions. BJP workers asked me to come back...Yediyurappaji and Vijayendraji also wanted me to come back... so I am rejoining." Notably, the former minister left the BJP before the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election and joined the Congress after being denied a ticket by the BJP national leadership. He fought on a Congress ticket but faced a substantial defeat from the Hubbali (Hubli)-Central Dharwad constituency, where he had served as a six-term MLA. Also Read | India: Woman seeks divorce as husband changes honeymoon destination from Goa to Ayodhya Congress reacts to Jagadish Shettar's defection The Congress, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, issued a sharp rebuke on Shettar's resignation. "He (Shettar) joined the Congress stating BJP disrespected him... we gave him a ticket for the Assembly election, made him MLC after he lost...so he wasn't disrespected in the Congress nor was injustice done," said Siddaramaiah. Also Read | Justice PB Varale sworn in, bolsters Dalit representation in India's top court to 3 judges Siddaramaiah and state Congress President D K Shivakumar highlighted that the Congress treated Shettar with respect when he joined ahead of last year's Assembly polls, contrasting it with the BJP's denial of a ticket. Shivakumar expressed surprise at Shettar's reversal, stating, "Congress had trusted the senior leader, but now you (media) are showing that trust is being breached." Watch | Cold wave in North India: Dense fog engulfs Delhi as it prepares for Republic Day × He questioned, "Did he (Shettar) not know about national interest when he was not given the ticket (by BJP)? Did he not know about Congress and national interest when Congress made him MLC for five years?" "He (Shettar) has to say what allurements were given to him. I can only say that Congress treated him respectfully....all of us have conscience, he too will have conscience," Shivakumar further said. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Ex-Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar rejoins BJP months after crying foul over 'ill-treatment'

<p>Jagadish Shetter, former chief minister of Karnataka, resigned as a BJP MLA on Monday as he joined Congress in Bengaluru. He alleged that BJP sidelined him to give preference to younger candidates in the upcoming state assembly elections. It must be noted that India’s Karnataka state will go into elections next month, and the incumbent BJP is hoping to conquer the state again for the next five years.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Jagadish Shetter?</strong></h2>

<p>Jagadish Shetter is a top Lingayat leader in Karnataka, along with former chief minister B S Yediyurappa. It is speculated that his exit from the BJP is the result of his long-standing dispute with rivals in the party from the Hubballi region, like Pralhad Joshi.</p>

<p>Shetter was born in Kerur, Karnataka, and started his political journey with the Janata Party in the 1980s. Later he joined the BJP in 1994 and became an MLA the same year from Hubli-Dharwad Central. The six-time BJP MLA also served as Karnataka’s CM between 2012 and 2013. Now, in April, he has left BJP to join Congress.</p>

<h2><strong>BJP’s response</strong></h2>

<p>Basavaraj Bommai, the chief minister of Karnataka, stated on Monday that Jagadish Shettar's decision to join the Congress shocked him but will not negatively affect the BJP's chances in the upcoming assembly elections. He also refuted Shetter’s allegations that he was not given due respect by the party. According to a report by Times of India, BJP gave him several options, including a larger role in the organisation, governorship or party ticket to a family member; however, Shetter refused all of them.</p>

<p>Bommai instead said that Shettar's departure will lead to the emergence of new leaders within the party. He said, “There is not going to be any difference to BJP's electoral prospects." He also expressed total confidence that the party will return to power with a clear majority.</p>

<h2><strong>How will Shetter’s exit impact BJP?</strong></h2>

<p>Shettar is a well-known Lingayat leader, and it is anticipated that his departure from the party may affect its chances of winning in the Hubli region. BJP dominated the region in 2018, capturing 38 of the 70 seats where Lingayat votes mattered. Hence, in the backdrop, Shetter’s departure comes as a big jolt to the state’s ruling party.</p>


Jagadish Shetter, former chief minister of Karnataka, resigned as a BJP MLA on Monday as he joined Congress in Bengaluru. He alleged that BJP sidelined him to give preference to younger candidates in the upcoming state assembly elections.

Jagadish Shetter, former chief minister of Karnataka, resigned as a BJP MLA on Monday as he joined Congress in Bengaluru. He alleged that BJP sidelined him to give preference to younger candidates in the upcoming state assembly elections. It must be noted that India’s Karnataka state will go into elections next month, and the incumbent BJP is hoping to conquer the state again for the next five years. Who is Jagadish Shetter? Jagadish Shetter is a top Lingayat leader in Karnataka, along with former chief minister B S Yediyurappa. It is speculated that his exit from the BJP is the result of his long-standing dispute with rivals in the party from the Hubballi region, like Pralhad Joshi. Shetter was born in Kerur, Karnataka, and started his political journey with the Janata Party in the 1980s. Later he joined the BJP in 1994 and became an MLA the same year from Hubli-Dharwad Central. The six-time BJP MLA also served as Karnataka’s CM between 2012 and 2013. Now, in April, he has left BJP to join Congress. BJP’s response Basavaraj Bommai, the chief minister of Karnataka, stated on Monday that Jagadish Shettar's decision to join the Congress shocked him but will not negatively affect the BJP's chances in the upcoming assembly elections. He also refuted Shetter’s allegations that he was not given due respect by the party. According to a report by Times of India, BJP gave him several options, including a larger role in the organisation, governorship or party ticket to a family member; however, Shetter refused all of them. Bommai instead said that Shettar's departure will lead to the emergence of new leaders within the party. He said, “There is not going to be any difference to BJP's electoral prospects." He also expressed total confidence that the party will return to power with a clear majority. How will Shetter’s exit impact BJP? Shettar is a well-known Lingayat leader, and it is anticipated that his departure from the party may affect its chances of winning in the Hubli region. BJP dominated the region in 2018, capturing 38 of the 70 seats where Lingayat votes mattered. Hence, in the backdrop, Shetter’s departure comes as a big jolt to the state’s ruling party.

Karnataka elections 2023: Who is Jagadish Shettar? Former CM quits BJP to join Congress

<p>Karnataka Assembly Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnatakas-floor-test-to-be-held-thursday-236112">K R Ramesh Kumar</a> on Monday said a decision on the confidence motion has to be taken today."Don`t repeat what I already said on Friday. I have already said that the decision is to be taken today," he said when BJP MLA Madhuswamy told the Speaker that floor test should be completed today.</p>

<p>"I will have to pass a ruling today. I was delayed as I was checking the Supreme Court order...in your speeches, today, make sure that that the dignity of Assembly, Speaker and also an image of you as MLAs," Kumar said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;On BJP MLA Jagadish Shettar asking for the time limit on debates during the trust vote, the Speaker said, "I am not setting a time limit. I am asking treasury benches to consider the commitment that decision has to be taken by today. Instead of the Speaker giving a time limit, people should take it upon themselves. There is no ambiguity on my part."</p>

<p>When BJP MLA Madhuswamy told the Speaker that floor test should be completed today, the Speaker reported, "Don`t repeat what I have already said on Friday. I have already said that the decision is to be taken today."</p>

<p>The Congress-JDS government slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignation of several dissident MLAs. Sixteen MLAs from the ruling coalition including thirteen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/doddalahalli-kempegowda-shivakumar-meets-rebel-congress-mla-mtb-nagaraj-in-bengaluru-asks-to-reconsider-resignation-235454">Congress and three JD(S) MLAs have resigned</a>.</p>

<p>On Friday, the Assembly failed to meet two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote. The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.&nbsp;</p>


Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar on Monday said a decision on the confidence motion has to be taken today."Don`t repeat what I already said on Friday.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar on Monday said a decision on the confidence motion has to be taken today."Don`t repeat what I already said on Friday. I have already said that the decision is to be taken today," he said when BJP MLA Madhuswamy told the Speaker that floor test should be completed today. "I will have to pass a ruling today. I was delayed as I was checking the Supreme Court order...in your speeches, today, make sure that that the dignity of Assembly, Speaker and also an image of you as MLAs," Kumar said. On BJP MLA Jagadish Shettar asking for the time limit on debates during the trust vote, the Speaker said, "I am not setting a time limit. I am asking treasury benches to consider the commitment that decision has to be taken by today. Instead of the Speaker giving a time limit, people should take it upon themselves. There is no ambiguity on my part." When BJP MLA Madhuswamy told the Speaker that floor test should be completed today, the Speaker reported, "Don`t repeat what I have already said on Friday. I have already said that the decision is to be taken today." The Congress-JDS government slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignation of several dissident MLAs. Sixteen MLAs from the ruling coalition including thirteen Congress and three JD(S) MLAs have resigned. On Friday, the Assembly failed to meet two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote. The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.

A decision on confidence motion has to be taken today: Karnataka Assembly Speaker