Amid speculations of an alliance with the JD(S) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year, BJP leader R Ashoka clarified on Friday that the tie-up hadn't been finalised yet as the final call on the same rests with the party's high command.
Taking a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership in Karnataka, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Jagadish Shettar on Sunday said that the party is leaderless in the state.
"The Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, has approved the proposal for the candidature of the following persons as Congress candidates to contest the bye-elections to the Legislative Council of Karnataka to be elected by the MLAs: Jagadish Shettar, Tippannappa Kamaknoor and NS Boseraju,"
Several leaders defected from their respective parties ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls over 'ticket denial' and jumped to the other side on the perception of a big win. However, some faced defeat while others turned the tide in their favour.
As per trends from Election Commission at 9.45 am, Shivakumar is leading against BJP's R Ashoka by 6657 votes while Shettar is trailing against Mahesh Tenginakai of BJP by 12,137 votes
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, the Congress MLA said, "My first reaction (to the exit-poll projections) is that I don't believe these numbers. I stand by my assessment, that we will win more than 146 seats. People are knowledgeable and educated and have voted considering the larger interes
"Very good response from the people. There is an undercurrent. People from all castes, everybody is working and voting for me. Congress and Jagadish Shettar will get elected with a huge margin," Shettar said.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Jagadish Shettar on Sunday said the party got a boost with the campaigning of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the upcoming state assembly elections.
The meeting between the Lingayat seers and Congress leaders Shamanur Shivashankarappa and Jagadish Shettar was held on May 5, with less than a week to go for voting in the Assembly elections.
Amid political uproar over the Congress manifesto for Karnataka elections declaring a ban on Bajrang Dal, former chief minister and Congress leader Jagadish Shettar said there is no question of banning the right-wing outfit.
Patil said that BJP veteran Yediyurappa is in desperation. "They are making him speak against Laxman Savadi and Jagdish Shettar and saying they betrayed and backstabbed BJP".
Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday came down hard on BJP turncoats Jagdish Shettar and Laxman Savadi, who recently switched over to the Congress, saying that they will pay for betraying the ruling party in the uncoming Assembly polls.