Jagadish Shettar returns to BJP: Why it cements BS Yediyurappa dominance over BL Santhosh in Karnataka

A native of Karnataka, he is effectively number four in BJP’s organisational hierarchy. His cold rivalry and one-upmanship with former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa are no secret.

In Shettar’s return to BJP lay a sweet victory for Yediyurappa and his son — Karnataka BJP president and first-time MLA BY Vijayendra.

It was a victory over the Congress. However, it was a more important win over baiters within the party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Also Read: The emergence of BL Santhosh from the shadows

Politics of perception

A Congress MLC and former BJP chief minister, Shettar quit the saffron party in April last year ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls.

He was miffed at the BJP denying him an Assembly ticket. So, he left the party and contested on a Congress ticket — albeit unsuccessfully.

Despite his electoral loss, the Congress made Shettar an MLC, aware of his importance and backing in the state. That, however, didn’t stop the Lingayat leader from rejoining the BJP.

The Congress portrayed Shettar’s assimilation ahead of the Assembly elections as a win in perception politics.

Now, it has no choice but to accept his exit — ahead of the Lok Sabha elections — as a similar win for the BJP.

The most victorious in the battle of perception, however, is Yediyurappa. In the Congress’ loss of Shettar lies his stamp of dominance over BL Santhosh, who has consistently attempted to reduce Yediyurappa’s influence in the party.

This dominance may perhaps extend only till the Lok Sabha elections. However, Yediyurappa has — for now — firmly set the tone for the BJP in Karnataka. The Lok Sabha elections in the state will proceed on his terms.

Also Read: The importance of being BS Yediyurappa in Karnataka BJP

The Yediyurappa-Santhosh equation

This was a marked change from the Karnataka Assembly elections when Yediyurappa was annoyed with being sidelined after he raised concerns over the party’s approach to candidates, campaigns, strategies, and planning.

From his forced ouster from chief ministership to Basavaraj Bommai replacing him, and to the chopping of his candidate list for the Assembly polls, the BJP sided with Santhosh and how he called Karnataka.

The devastating results of the Assembly election, however, compelled the BJP to run back to Yediyurappa.

If the elevation of his son, BY Vijayendra, as the Karnataka BJP president was seen as the first step towards handing over complete control of the state unit to the father-son duo, Shettar’s return to the party through Yediyruppa’s efforts — and at his insistence — cements his position in the party vis-a-vis Santhosh.

Shettar isn’t just another leader coming home. He happens to be the first and the only leader of the BJP to have publicly accused Santhosh of “setting the Karnataka BJP on fire”.

In a press conference in Hubballi, @JagadishShettar openly blames @BJP4India General Secretary (Organisation) @blsanthosh BJP denying him a ticket. Says it was a “game” played by Santhosh & others. Alleges a whisper campaign since months to oust him. pic.twitter.com/5CrcjfXGZn

— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) April 18, 2023

“When there was a possibility to win by a huge margin, I was denied a ticket. When I assessed the reason behind all of this, I could see only one person — BL Santhosh,” Shettar told reporters last April, holding Santhosh wholly responsible for his decision to exit the party.

Also read: Karnataka BJP unit revamped ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls

The political math

Shettar’s departure from the saffron party, with that of another former BJP Lingayat leader — Laxman Savadi, now a Congress MLA — had a caste refrain within the BJP as well.

It gave birth to a narrative that BJP Brahmin leaders like Santhosh and Union minister Pralhad Joshi were attempting to alienate the party’s Lingayat leaders — first by sidelining Yediyurappa and then denying tickets to senior leaders from the community.

Ironically, it was the JD(S)’s HD Kumaraswamy who gave credence to the narrative. The JD(S) is now an alliance partner of the BJP in Karnataka.

On Thursday, when Shettar rejoined the BJP, there was no sign of Santhosh or Pralhad Joshi. Yediyurappa and Vijayendra prominently occupied the dais.

Shettar’s return was Vijayendra’s first big success story as Karnataka BJP president, strengthening his position as the leader “bringing Lingayat seniors back into the party”.

For Yediyurappa, too, Shettar’s return was a moral victory — in terms of exhibiting how he continues to enjoy the confidence among the party’s old guard.

If Shettar’s exit was credited to Santhosh, by his own admission, his re-entry is credited to Yediyurappa. That’s the equation.

The political repercussions of Shettar’s flip-flop for both Congress and BJP may look minuscule, but this round has certainly gone to Yediyurappa.