Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 29: In an explosive revelation, former chief minister and minister Jagadish Shettar, announced that he had functioned as a chief minister in the past and hence decided not to become a part of Bommai-led ministry.

Shettar said that he will instead indulge in strengthening the party's organizational set up. "In the past, I had worked under the leadership of Yediyurappa. In spite of being a former chief minister, I became a minister in Yediyurappa's cabinet. This is my personal decision and I have not received any instruction or message from the high command. I have already brought this to the notice of state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel, and the party high command," he explained.

Jagadish Shettar

Shettar stated that being a senior leader of the party, he had decided against joining the new ministry. He clarified that he has not set his eyes on any other post. At the same time, he said that if the party high command asks him to discharge certain duties, he will follow such an instruction.

He noted that the process of constituting the new ministry headed by Bommai has begun. He said he cannot predict when the exercise will be completed, but added that he cannot make up his mind to be a part of the new ministry. "Bommai has become the chief minister (CM). I do not want to say anything about it now. I have no interest in the posts of governor, speaker etc. There is no question of my being unhappy about the selection of Bommai as the CM. But I will be bound by the orders of the party," he clarified.

Jagadish Shettar was in the race for the chief minister's post. He had led the BJP government in state for a brief period when the BJP rose to power in Karnataka for the first time. Therefore, when Yediyurappa formed the government, many had doubted about him accepting the post of the minister. It is being claimed that his current decision is influenced by the fact that a person who is younger to him and who migrated from another party has been made the CM by the party. Shettar also belongs to Lingayat community and is an influential leader in Hubballi area.

Reacting to Shettar’s statement, Bommai said that he will hold a discussion with him and sort out if there are any issues.