I was sidelined by BJP, denied ticket for no reason: former Byndoor MLA Sukumar Shetty

Mangalore Today News Network

Kundapur, Sept 7, 2023: “I was denied a ticket for no reason in the recent Assembly elections.  I was sidelined despite my efforts to strengthen BJP in Byndoor. This attitude of the party has pained and shocked me,” said former Byndoor MLA B M Sukumar Shetty.

Speaking to reporters at his residence at Nempu near Vandse on September 7, Thursday, he said  he was elected the Byndoor MLA by a margin of 25,000 votes in the  previous election and it was he who helped BJP gain a firm foothold in Byndoor which was a Congress stronghold, he said.

He further criticized BJP and said the party has not yet been able to elect an opposition leader. “I was sidelined because I was capable and capable people have no place in the BJP. I will not remain in the BJP and the party has no future,” he said.

Shetty further added Congress leaders had invited him to the party and that he met Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru along with former Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary and Shringeri MLA He said he has told DK Shivakumar that he would join the Congress.

He also said he would organise a big function wherein he would formally join the Congress.