Hubli-Dharwad, Apr 26: Mahesh Tenginkai, the BJP candidate from Karnataka’s Hubli-Dharwad Central seat, may have pitched his high-stakes battle against Congress rival Jagadish Shettar as a ‘guru-shishya’ contest, but the former chief minister rejects the billing, saying Tenginkai’s “guru is in Delhi”.
Shettar, a longtime BJP leader who joined the Congress recently, has blamed the BJP’s national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh for rejecting his plea for a ticket and fielding Tenginkai for the same seat.
An epic battle is on the cards in the constituency with Shettar fighting to retain his traditional stronghold, albeit on a Congress ticket, and the BJP pulling out all stops to beat him and send a message that the organisation is supreme.
Shettar expressed confidence that the Congress will get a clear majority and form the government in Karnataka.
“The BJP has disrespected me. My self-respect has been hurt and only for that reason I went to the Congress. I have no expectations from the Congress party. I only expect self-respect and honour. My position will be only of am MLA. I will work for the people,” Shettar told PTI on the campaign trail.
Shettar is one of the most prominent political figures in fray in the Karnataka assembly election. His falling out with the BJP over not getting a ticket, and then taking on the party he served for years has been in the spotlight.
“I have asked the high command and state leaders a number of times to give reasons for denying me the ticket. Is it the age factor, or a survey report or any corruption charges. Any allegation, any scam or any criminal background. But they didn’t give any reason. Yesterday, Amit Shah ji said that they have given me the reason but I have not been given any reason and I want to know,” he said.
