72 first-timers, series of resignations, BJP's struggles continue ahead of assembly polls in K'taka
Bengaluru: As the Assembly elections in Karnataka approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is dealing with the challenge of having 72 first-time candidates and the resignation of several senior leaders, including Jagadish Shettar, from the party. Despite this setback, the BJP has expressed confidence in its ability to field new candidates as instructed by the party high command and has maintained that the departure of senior leaders will not affect its chances in the upcoming polls.
However, Congress leader Siddaramaiah has criticized the BJP's treatment of Shettar, whom he believes has been derogated by the party. Siddaramaiah also accused the BJP of attempting to win over the Lingayat community, to which Shettar belongs, through another senior leader BS Yediyurappa.
Veteran Congressman Shamanuru Shivashankarappa and Congress legislator MB Patil have convinced Shettar to join the Congress. In response to this development, the BJP has highlighted the apolitical relationship between Shettar and Shivashankarappa, whose granddaughter is married to Shettar's son, to indicate the influence of personal relationships on political moves.
According to Arun Singh, the Karnataka In-charge of the BJP, Shettar was promised a national-level post, including membership of the Rajya Sabha, by the party high command. Despite this assurance, Shettar decided to leave the party and join the Congress. Singh suggested that voters do not appreciate individuals who work solely for their own interests.
Another prominent leader who recently quit the BJP is former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who joined the Congress after being denied a party ticket for the upcoming elections. These resignations and the addition of new candidates have made the political climate in Karnataka more unpredictable in the lead-up to the Assembly elections.
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Two highway robbers shot at in Hubballi during spot inspection
Hubballi (Karnataka), Nov 24: Two suspected robbers were shot at on Sunday when they tried to escape from police as they were taken for a spot inspection, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said.
The incident happened when they were taken to a spot, in the outskirts of Hubbali, where they allegedly waylaid a car and looted money couple of weeks ago. Police took them there to make them describe the alleged crime.
The two alleged robbers Bharath and Farooq from Mangaluru were shot in their leg when they assaulted three police officers including two women police officers, Shashikumar told PTI.
He said the police officers shot them in self defence. According to him, the gang had waylaid a car on November 8 and decamped with Rs 7 lakh. Investigation led to the arrest of Bharath and Farooq and subsequently some amount was recovered from them, he added.
The Police Commissioner said the injured are being treated at Hubballi KIMS Hospital. Farooq, he said, has more than 17 cases registered against him in various police stations. There were cases registered against him in other states as well.
Bharat too has many criminal cases against him in various police stations in the state, Shashikumar said.
