Joining Congress wholeheartedly: Jagadish Shettar

Bengaluru: Prominent Lingayat leader and former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Monday joined the Congress party a day after he quit the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the May 10 Assembly elections in the State.

Shettar who arrived at the Congress office in Bengaluru this morning was inducted into the party by Congress chief MallikarjunKharge, the Karnataka state Congress president DK Shivakumar and the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah.

Senior BJP leader Amar Singh Patil also joined Congress along with Shettar.

"I was contacted by DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Surjewala and MB Patil. When they invited me I came without any other option. I am joining Congress wholeheartedly," Jagadish Shettar said.

Addressing reporters Congress chief Kharge said, "I do not need to give more introduction about Jagadish Shettar. His joining will boost the enthusiasm of the Congress, He is the person who not only wins alone, he is a person who is capable to win more seats. Though he was in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Jana Sangha, he is a non-controversial person. We have worked together."

"Our target was 150, now after Shettar's joining it is confirmed that we will reach the target," added the Congress chief.