Karnataka 2023: Senior BJP Leader Haladi Srinivas Shetty, Known As 'Vajpayee Of Kundapura', Withdraws From Electoral Politics

Before the Bharatiya Janata Party could announce its first list of candidates’ for the Karnataka assembly elections, Halady Srinivas Shetty, a five-term BJP MLA from Kundapura in coastal Karnataka announced that he would not contest the upcoming assembly elections. 

Known as gentleman politician, Shetty was fondly called the 'Vajpayee of Kundapura' for his simple demeanour.

Shetty first won the Kundapura assembly constituency for the BJP in 1999. Until then the seat was regarded as a Congress stronghold.

In that election, he had contested against K Prathap Shetty of the Congress, and won with 1,021 votes. He was returned to the Assembly in the 2004 and 2008 elections as well, with an ascending margin of 19,665 and 25,083 votes. 

In 2013, he contested as an independent candidate from Kundapura due to a difference with the then state BJP leaders and won with a staggering 40,611 votes. Later, in 2018 he re-joined BJP and won the election with 56,405 votes. 

Due to his stature in the region, Shetty's candidature was likely this time too. However, he announced the decision to withdraw from electoral politics.

His withdrawal also led to speculations that he vacated the seat to make way for one of his followers.

In a press statement, Shetty expressed his gratitude to all voters of Kundapura for electing him as the MLA five times consecutively.

“I have decided of free will that I will not be contesting the upcoming Assembly election. I have fought for social justice and performed my duties as an MLA with utmost sincerity. The Kundapur constituency has a vast number of hinterlands, and I am happy to have voiced the concerns of its people and address them. 

"I am grateful to all party workers, leaders and well-wishers who served selflessly for the victory of BJP candidates from Panchayat to Parliament elections during my tenure as MLA.

"I express my gratitude to the BJP for giving me an opportunity to serve as an MLA. I also express my thanks to everyone who supported me to win the election as an independent candidate (2013).”

At 72, Shetty is well within the age-limit of 75 years set by the top BJP leadership for being eligible to contest elections. That he withdrew from the contest on his own accord suggests that he wanted to bow out on his terms.