Vijayapura: The entry of Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar into the Congress has apparently boosted the morale of the Congress candidates who are seeking the support of the Banajiga community to which Shettar belongs to.
The Congress supporters mainly of Vijayapura city who were striving hard to get Banajiga votes, now appeared to be looking at the silver line with prominent Banajiga leader of the BJP joining the Congress.
Shettar has joined the Congress at the time when Banajiga leaders are upset with the BJP for not giving ticket to Shettar from Hubballi-Dharwad central constituency and Former MLA Appu Pattanshetty from Vijayapura city.
Recently, during one of the press conferences, the leaders of the community lashed out at the BJP high command.
They were also angry with BJP MLA and present party’s candidate, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for making derogatory remarks against the Banajiga community.
He refused to tender an apology even after the community held a mega procession rally against Yatnal.
Both incidents have reportedly hurt the sentiments of the community who have openly announced not to vote for the BJP, mainly Yatnal in Vijayapura city.
The Banajiga leaders admitted candidly that over 90 percent of their community is a strong BJP supporter. But after the denial of the ticket to their leaders, the community is angry with the saffron party.
The Congress meanwhile is reportedly planning to take advantage of the situation to turn the votes of Banajiga into its favour.
“ As Shettar has now joined the Congress, we are planning to bring him to Vijayapura city to campaign for Congress candidate, Abdul Hamid Mushrif. Since the Banajiga community is upset with Yatnal and the BJP, the presence of Shettar could turn the prospects in favor of the Congress. The Congress Mushrif had lost against Yatnal in the last assembly polls by a small margin”, said one of the party leaders.
