Former Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy termed former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar's departure from the BJP "an internal issue" that the saffron party must deal with.
“Jagadish Shettar has not contacted me. Our party does not need great leaders like him. We welcome leaders of smaller statures,” Kumaraswamy told mediapersons after having a darshan of the presiding deity at the Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dharmasthala on Sunday.
“Jagdish Shettar, who has immense political experience and who has worked since the time of Jan Sangh, is also deserting the BJP. What I said in the past about the DNA in the BJP is coming true,” Kumaraswamy said.
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Kumaraswamy met temple Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade and sought his blessings. Heggade in turn felicitated Kumaraswamy.
Kumaraswamy said that he had sought the blessings of God for a stable administration in the state and the welfare of its people.
On Saturday night, the JD(S) leader visited the Durgaparameshwari Temple at Nala in Belthangady and offered special prayers. He had arrived in a helicopter to Dharmasthala.
Chief priest Raghavendra Asranna conducted a special puja lasting three days in Kumaraswamy's name and the latter made it a point to take part in the final puja rituals.
Kumaraswamy said that he had taken part in a special homa and havana for the welfare of the people of the state.
MLC S L Bhoje Gowda, state party spokesperson M B Sadashiv and others were also present along with Kumaraswamy.