Hubballi, August 28: Former minister Shankar Patil Munenakoppa has clarified that he does not have any intention of joining the Congress party, despite several prominent leaders from the party inviting him.
Speaking at a press conference in the city on Monday, he revealed that he had been contacted by various Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, D.K. Shivakumar, and Jagadish Shettar, but he mentioned that the thought of joining Congress has not crossed his mind.
During the press meet, he also mentioned that there are differing opinions within the BJP itself. While some leaders like Chikkanagoudar, Nimbannavar, and Jagadish Shettar approached him to join the BJP, many have left the party in the Dharwad district. He highlighted that Pralhad Joshi now holds significant responsibility in the region. Munenakoppa asserted that those who had formed the party should take responsibility and that leaving the party would be a regretful decision.
Munenakoppa clarified that Anant Kumar Hegde is no longer with him, and Jagadish Shettar is not aligned with their faction. He emphasized that Pralhad Joshi carries a considerable responsibility, and if workers face challenges, the party would be in trouble. Regardless of the circumstances, he stated that he would engage in discussions with the workers.
He praised the BJP for their support, attributing Yediyurappa and Jagadish Shettar for their growth. Munenakoppa assured that he would update the public about his decision regarding contesting in the Lok Sabha elections. He also acknowledged that the departure of senior leaders has caused unrest within the party.
