Bengaluru, 25 Jan

MLA Laxman Savadi on Thursday said that he will continue to stay in Congress.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Laxman Savadi on Thursday and discussed the upcoming Lok sabha elections. Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Savadi said, “I will not go back to BJP for any reason. I don't know why Jagadish Shettar went back to BJP. Congress will not be damaged as Shettar has gone to the BJP.”

Savadi added that Shettar should clarify on why he joined Congress and what made him quit the party.  “BJP is in need of leaders as Lok Sabha polls are round the corner, and it is inevitable for them to not poach leaders,” he said. Savadi said leaders do get invited (from BJP) to return.

Savadi and Shettar were in BJP and they were denied party ticket to contest Assembly polls in 2023. Savadi wanted to be fielded from the Athani Assembly seat in Belagavi. Shettar and Savadi belong to the politically dominant Lingayat community which forms a major chunk of votes in north Karnataka districts of Karnataka.

Savadi won the Athani Assembly seat as a Congress nominee.