The statement made by BJP MLC Pradeep Shettar that Lingayat leaders in the BJP are being sidelined systematically continues to create ripples in the local BJP unit with Dharwad Rural District Unit president Basavaraj Kundgolmath on Monday tendering a public apology for having forgotten to invite Mr. Shettar to a felicitation programme.
On Monday, Mr. Kundgolmath told presspersons that he committed a mistake by not inviting Mr. Shettar to the programme related to felicitating presidents and vice-presidents of gram panchayats. “It was my mistake and I have already apologised to him personally. Now, I apologise to him again,” he said.
Mr. Kundgolmath clarified that the party has not sidelined Lingayat leaders and it had fielded Lingayat leaders in six of the seven Assembly constituencies in the district in the recent elections. Of them, three Lingayats had won, he said and added that Mr. Shettar should have discussed the matter within the party instead of issuing a public statement.
