‘Shettar will lead BJP in '13 polls’

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National general secretary of the BJP, H.N. Ananth Kumar has stated that new Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar will lead the party in the 2013 Assembly elections. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle soon after his close associate, Mr Shettar took oath as Chief Minister, a visibly delighted Mr Kumar said the Hubli strongman has the experience to bring about unity in the party. “Under his leadership, the BJP will come back to the power in the next elections”, he added.

This statement of Ananth Kumar is also an indication that the BJP wants Mr Shettar to lead the party in the elections and not Mr Yeddyurappa who had led the charge in 2008. Source said the party leadership is hoping to check the dominance of Mr Yeddyurappa over BJP affairs by utilizing Mr Shettar.

Ruling out the possibility of his return to state politics, Mr Kumar said Mr Shettar was capable of uniting all factions. “The party central leadership has given me the responsibility of overseeing the next Lok Sabha elections and wants me to get fully involved in the poll process”, he said while replying to a question on the possibility of his return to Karnataka politics.

“I am the party general secretary , I have to ensure the BJP wins the maximum seats in the 2014 parliamentary elections. My aim is to bring the BJP led NDA to power at the Centre” Mr Kumar said. “I am extremely happy that my friend for many years, Mr Shettar has become Chief Minister. From our days in the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat( ABVP), I and Mr Shettar have worked together. We have been associated for the past 35 years. Unity and development has become the mantra for Mr Shettar and will help the BJP secure a mandate in the coming elections”, he said. Mr Shettar who has a RSS background, is a skilled administrator and has worked in all capacities in the BJP, said Mr Kumar adding that his rich experience in the party will help him lead the state.