HUBLI
In the absence of local BJP leaders, a large number of former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar’s followers and party workers gathered to take out a massive rally to welcome him back to the saffron party. The rally started from Kusugal Road and ended at his residence.
Former Minister Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, former MLAs Kalakappa Bandi, SI Chikkangouda and others took part in the rally in an open jeep.
Speaking to media persons at his residence after attending the rally, Jagadish Shettar said, the process of him joining BJP was expedited after BY Vijayendra took charge as the President of the BJP state unit.
Replying to a query, he said BJP’s activities have gathered momentum after Vijayendra took over as the chief of the state unit. There are some minor works that need to be done, which will be brought up at party meetings, he added. I will not blame Congress. The Congress party has supported me. However, there was pressure from local as well as state leaders of the BJP. Because of this, I went back to the BJP. It is my home, he said.
Shettar also visited the BJP city office at Deshpande Nagar. BJP functionaries Tippanna Majjagi and Dattamurthy Kulkarni welcomed Shettar by garlanding him. Later, Hubli-Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginkai, Lingaraj Patil, former Mayor Veeranna Savadi and others welcomed him at the party office.
