Jagadish Shettar resigns from BJP: Will he join Congress or Janata Dal or contest independently?

In a major political development in Hubli, Karnataka, former chief minister and senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar announced his resignation from the party on Sunday. He said he was unhappy with the way the party leadership treated him and ignored his suggestions on various issues.

Shettar, who was the chief minister of Karnataka for a brief period in 2012-13, said he had no plans to join any other party as of now. He said he would consult his supporters and well-wishers before taking a final decision on his future course of action.

Jagadish Shettar after resigning said, “Speaker Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri has given me time to meet him today, I will tender my resignation to him. I am also resigning from the primary membership of the party and sending my resignation letter to the state president.”

Jagadish Shettar further said, that once I come back after tendering my resignation I will discuss it with my supporters. “I have decided to contest in the upcoming elections. There’s no question of going back now. All options are open to me and I will discuss with my supporters and well-wishers after which a decision will be taken on how I will be contesting as an independent or from any party,” said the former Karnataka minister.

What are the possible options for Shettar?

Shettar’s resignation has triggered speculation about his next move. There are three possible options for him:

Joining Congress: Shettar has a good rapport with some of the senior Congress leaders in the state, especially former chief minister Siddaramaiah. He may be offered a prominent role in the party if he decides to join it. However, he may face resistance from some of the loyalists of the party who may see him as an outsider.
Joining Janata Dal (Secular): Shettar belongs to the Lingayat community, which is considered to be the core vote base of the BJP in Karnataka. He may try to woo some of the Lingayat voters to the JD(S), which is led by former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his son H.D. Kumaraswamy. However, he may have to compromise on his ideology and accept the leadership of the Gowda family.
Contesting independently: Shettar may also choose to contest independently from his home constituency of Hubli-Dharwad Central, where he has a strong support base. He may hope to win the seat with his personal popularity and influence. However, he may face a tough challenge from the BJP candidate, who may get the backing of the party machinery and resources.

What are the implications of Shettar’s resignation for BJP?

Shettar’s resignation is a big blow for the BJP in Karnataka, which is already facing internal dissent and factionalism. Shettar was one of the senior-most and respected leaders of the party in the state, who had a clean image and a mass appeal. His exit may weaken the party’s hold on the Lingayat community, which constitutes about 17% of the state’s population and is crucial for its electoral success.

Shettar’s resignation may also embolden other disgruntled leaders in the party to follow suit. Some of them include former ministers K.S. Eshwarappa, R. Ashoka, C.T. Ravi and Arvind Limbavali, who have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the party leadership and its policies.

The BJP may also face a tough challenge from the opposition parties, especially Congress and JD(S), who may try to exploit the situation and project themselves as viable alternatives to the ruling party. The Congress may try to woo Shettar and other rebel leaders to its fold, while the JD(S) may try to consolidate its base among the Vokkaliga and minority communities.