Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who briefly joined the Congress before the state assembly election last year, has made a comeback to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 68-year-old Shettar, a prominent figure in the Lingayat community, switched to Congress after being denied a ticket in the 2023 assembly election. His return to the BJP was announced in New Delhi, with Shettar expressing his eagerness to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move is seen as a significant boost for the BJP, with former CM BS Yediyurappa describing it as a “great strength” for the party. Shettar, known for his RSS affiliation, emphasized his confidence in PM Modi’s leadership. The development follows accusations from Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar that the BJP was making desperate attempts to bring Shettar back. Shettar’s Lingayat influence is crucial in state politics, making his return strategically significant for the BJP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.