Shettar's Political Homecoming: BJP Woos Back Congress Defector to Regain Crucial Lingayat Votebank
• Shettar left BJP in tears, joined Congress, vowed never to return, but has now rejoined BJP 9 months later, citing faith in PM Modi's leadership • Felt neglected in Congress - no significant roles, ill-treatment by local leaders strained ties • Strategic efforts by BJP-JDS to woo him back to regain Lingayat support base crucial for upcoming elections • Shettar has an illustrious BJP lineage - family ties to RSS, uncle was first BJP MLA in Karnataka in 1967 • His support deemed critical for BJP to secure key Lok Sabha seats like Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri