Karnataka 2023: Hopeful Of Getting A BJP Ticket, Says Jagadish Shettar, Even As K S Eshwarappa Voluntarily Retires From Electoral Politics

Two senior leaders of the BJP in Karnataka presented two contrasting approaches to politics today.

Former Karnataka CM and Hubli Rural MLA virtually defied the party and came out with a statement saying that there was no question of him staying away from the poll fray in Karnataka.

This was amid reports that the BJP leadership would ask many senior leaders to make way for younger leadership.

According to this report, Shettar himself said that he received a call from a senior party leader in Delhi, asking Shettar to make way for other leaders.

To this, Shettar claims to have replied: "I told the leader that the party should respect my seniority and contribution. Referring to the internal report, which said I have 75 per cent of winnability, I said I don't have any minus points. I have neither been involved in corruption scandals nor have anti-incumbency in the constituency. Convinced by my explanation, the leader replied that the party would review its decision. I am hopeful that I will get a BJP ticket".

On the other hand, his long-time party colleague and former deputy chief minister of Karnataka, K S Eshwarappa, volunteered out of electoral politics.

The Shivamogga MLA wrote a letter to the J P Nadda, the national president of BJP, saying that he was retiring from electoral politics and that his name not be considered for a ticket.

He also said that he would work to get the BJP a majority in the Karnataka assembly and that he was also ready for any responsibility which the party would place on him.

Eshwarappa would turn 75 in June, which is the unofficial age-limit for BJP leaders to be considered for party tickets. Shettar, meanwhile, is 67.

Karnataka votes on 10 May while the results will be declared on 13 May.