HUBBALLI: The decision of BJP leaders to select Opposition leader in the Assembly, Jagadish Shettar’s brother Pradeep Shettar for polls to the Legislative Council, has triggered discontent among local leaders of the party in Hubballi-Dharwad.
Though BJP leaders are decrying dynastic politics of Congress and JD(S), a similar trend witnessed in BJP has upset several ticket aspirants and loyal party workers alike. They have raised questions over the attitude of their leaders such as Shivakumar Udasi, son of former minister C.M. Udasi, who was elected MP from undivided Dharwad district.
The core committee of BJP, at a meeting held on Friday, decided to field Pradeep Shettar from Dharwad local authorities’ constituency to the Legislative Council. The meeting was mere formality to finalise his name and no one has filed nominations for the ticket fearing the wrath of leaders like Jagadish Shettar and Prahlad Joshi. Unsuccessful aspirants, however, contended that the party has not recognised them due to lack of financial support in elections as gram panchayat members demand hefty money to cast their votes. “The candidate is required to spend at least '7-8 crores to win. So we need to spend lots of money to attract gram panchayat members and other representatives of local governing bodies. Therefore, the party has not considered me though I have worked for 27 years for the party as I cannot afford to spend such huge amount. Our leaders have given the ticket to Pradeep Shettar though he was not involved in activities. The move has caused resentment among many other loyal workers. We are left with no choice but to work for his victory as I cannot question his candidature”, lamented a BJP leader and close confidant of Jagadish Shettar.
Pradeep Shettar lost the election to the Legislative Council in 2013 owing to several factors including former CM Yeddyurappa parting ways with the BJP to form KJP.
