Congress cannot ban Bajrang Dal: Shettar

HUBBALLI: Jagadish Shettar said that the promise in the Congress manifesto to ban the extremist Hindu organization Bajrang Dal if it comes to power in Karnataka is crossing the limits. Shettar, who left the BJP after being denied a seat in the assembly elections, is a Congress candidate from the Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency.

Shettar, who had been campaigning in Lingayat districts for the Congress, returned to his home in Kesavapura Mathura Estate in Hubballi yesterday. The house was crowded with followers, leaders, and media.

Conversation with Shettar before hitting the campaign trail -

Will Congress manifesto promise to ban Bajrang Dal backfire?

:-It could have been avoided. The state government cannot ban any national movement. It is the work of the Union Home Ministry. It is ill-advised to make an election promise that the state government cannot fulfill. Senior leader Veerappa Moily has expressed his opinion. Congress is a secular movement. The Congress leadership has been asked for a correction and it is hoped that action will be taken.

Will it affect the election in Hubballi?
:-No. He has forty years of working experience. Locals know Shettar.

Does the impropriety of an idealistic leader switching parties reduce the leader's personal influence?

:-I don't think so. How to move forward with wounded self-esteem? Wasn't it insulting? I did not work against the party. No corruption allegations, no criminal cases. I have not crossed the age limit. I have not lost in election. BJP has no answer as to why I was denied the seat. There are other interests behind this. How to stay in such a movement? This is an insult and I responded to that. If the party has to be changed for that, so be it.

Do people blame it as selfishness to switch parties after holding positions up to Chief Minister?
:- What is not selfishness? Isn't it selfish that 17 MLAs defected to form the BJP government, which did not have a majority in the last election? Self-esteem and credibility must be protected. It is the personality that holds value.

How will Shettar leaving the party affect the BJP?

:-There will be a crack in BJP's supremacy in the Lingayat region. This sends the message that idealistic leaders have no place in the party. The party should realize that. I went to campaign in all the Lingayat region of North Karnataka. Almost half of the seats won by the party in the last elections are from the Lingayat region. BJP will lose seats in Hyderabad, Karnataka, and Mumbai regions.

Will Congress get power this time?
:-Congress will come to power with a clear majority. The status of the party has improved.

Will you be the Chief Minister of Karnataka?
:-All that should be decided by the party. I came to Congress without conditions. I will win in Hubballi and come to power.