"Time Was Running Out": Karnataka Congress Newcomer On Fallout With BJP

Congress newcomer and former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has blamed the BJP's state in-charge BL Santosh for denying a ticket to him to contest the assembly election next month. Mr Shettar, who made it no secret that he is still smarting over the ticket denial by his previous party, told NDTV today that he never got an explanation from the BJP why - despite his "clean record" and winning six times in previous elections - he was told to step aside. "The high command is not involved (in denying a ticket). BL Santosh mishandled everything," Mr Shettar, a Lingayat leader from the Hubballi-Dharwad seat, told NDTV. He will contest from the same seat on a Congress ticket. "I joined the Congress because time was running out. The last day of nomination is April 20. I had to take the step because of self-respect. I want to contest this election. It is not a revenge against the BJP," the newest senior Congress leader in Karnataka said.