Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the BJP is making a desperate attempt to bring former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar back into its fold ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Shettar, 68, a staunch RSS worker and a senior BJP leader, switched to the Congress after being denied a ticket during the 2023 assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters at Byalukuppe in Mysuru district, Shivakumar said, “Many BJP leaders are desperate for the return of Shettar who is now with the Congress party. This is a clear sign of weakness in the party. They do not have candidates for the upcoming general elections.”

The Deputy Chief Minister said that BJP and JD(S) are suffering from serious lack of leadership and confidence and hence they have joined hands. Now he is trying hard to bring Shettar back into the party.

“We made HD Kumaraswamy the chief minister to keep BJP away. Now Kumaraswamy is embracing the same people who brought down his government. This unholy alliance is a clear example of the position of both the parties.”

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)