Former Karnataka CM and disgruntled BJP leader Jagadish Shettar on Wednesday met BJP national president JP Nadda in Delhi. After his meeting with Nadda, Shettar said that he had expressed his view to the party president about contesting the election.
"Today I met party president JP Nadda and expressed my view that I will contest the election. I have won the last six elections. He said he will discuss it with other leaders and we will reach a conclusion," Shettar told reporters after his meeting with Nadda.
His visit to party chief comes after he was advised to step aside and give chance to newcomers in the upcoming elections. Notably, Shettar's name did not feature in the first list of 189 candidates released by the BJP for May 10 election.
Shettar had met parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi before meeting Nadda.
Yediyurappa assures Shettar of ticket
Earlier on Wednesday, former CM BS Yediyurappa said Shettar will 99% be given a ticket by the party to contest assembly polls. This comes a day after Shettar publicly declared to fight polls despite the party asking him to step aside and give chance to newcomers.
"99% Jagadish Shettar (former Karnataka CM) will be given an election ticket. I think the second list of candidates will be released by tonight," the former CM said.
"Out of 159 seats that were announced yesterday, we will win 125-130 seats. We are happy with the announcement. We will form govt in Karnataka," he went on to add.
Jagadish Shettar is a sitting MLA from Hubli-Dharwad Central.
Yeddiyurappa's statement gains significance as the party battles infighting in the southern state over ticket distribution.
BJP released its first list of 189 candidates on Tuesday
The saffron party dropped several senior party MLAs and gave opportunity to new faces to tackle anti-incumbency in the poll-bound state.
However, after the saffron party released its list, several leaders who have not been given ticket have shown indications of rebelling against the party by offering their resignations.
Shettar, who was conveyed the message about stepping aside even before the list came out, had refused to back down on Tuesday.
Shettar said he was hurt by the decision, adding that it was not "acceptable" to him.
Shettar said he has urged the leadership to reconsider the decision and he was told that the matter would be discussed again, reported news agency PTI.
"My popularity is good even in the survey. I've not lost a single election. There is no reason to deny my ticket, so I have requested the party high command to give me an opportunity to contest." Shettar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
