Congress Leader Nagaraj Chabbi Joins BJP. Will he get a seat for Kalaghatgi constituency?

In a major political development in Karnataka, senior Congress leader and former minister Nagaraj Chabbi announced his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday. Chabbi, who had been unhappy with the Congress leadership for a long time, said he was impressed by the development works and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Chabbi joined the party in the presence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka CM Bommai, State BJP president Nalin Kumar Katil, and cabinet minister Govind Karjol.

What does this mean for the BJP?

Chabbi’s entry into the BJP is seen as a boost for the ruling party ahead of the assembly elections due in 2023.

Chabbi is a prominent leader of the Lingayat community, constituting a large vote bank in the state. He is also a popular leader in the Kalaghatgi constituency of the Dharwad district.

#WATCH | Congress leader Nagaraj Chabbi joined BJP in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, State BJP president Nalin Kumar Katil and cabinet minister Govind Karjol. pic.twitter.com/jdECW0UvRp

— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2023

Will he get a seat in the Kalaghatgi constituency?

While Chabbi has expressed his desire to contest from the Kalaghatgi constituency again, it is unclear whether the BJP will accommodate him. The party already has a sitting MLA in Tenginkai, who is also a Lingayat leader.

Moreover, the BJP has to balance the aspirations of other leaders who have defected from other parties. The final decision will depend on the party’s high command and the Chief Minister, who must consider factors such as caste equations, winnability, and loyalty.