Hassan: Independent MLA from Kundapura, Haladi Srinivasa Shetty, appears to have ruffled feathers in the Bharatiya Janata Party even before he could join it. While he is likely to take a call on joining the BJP once the Election Commission announces the calendar of events for the coming assembly poll, some of the party's leaders and workers in Udupi district reportedly feel he is dictating terms and want him kept out.
They are allegedly upset at BJP Mandal president of Haladi, Kaduru Suresh Shetty for removing the party flag at a recent preparatory meeting for the Nava Karnataka Parivarthana Yatra only to allow the MLA to join BJP party leaders on the dais. Being an independent MLA, Mr Srinivasa Shetty could have been in trouble under the anti-defection law had he openly identified with the Bharatiya Janata Party on the occasion.
But many saffron party workers from Udupi and former MP, K. Jayaprakash Hegde see the removal of the flag as an insult to the Bharatiya Janata Party, going by sources. “No individual has the right to dictate terms to the party. If Haladi Srinivasa Shetty is interested in joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, let him do so without setting such conditions. What happened at the Haladi Shakti Kendra was anti- party,” complain these workers, demanding that their state leaders intervene in the issue.
With Mr. Srinivasa Shetty being a close ally of party chief, B.S. Yeddyurappa and Chikkamagaluru MP, Shobha Karandlaje, the workers have taken their complaints against him to Sangh Parivar leaders of the district, according to sources.
