Accepting the humiliating defeat by the Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar submitted his resignation to Governor HR Bhardwaj on Wednesday. Shettar has been asked to continue as a care taker Chief Minister till the formation of the new Government.
Shettar told the mediapersons that there were many reasons for the defeat of the party. He said, “There were many factors responsible for our defeat and BS Yeddyurappa’s departure is one.” However, Shettar refused to comment on whether the BJP would invite Yeddyurappa back into the party.
Shettar said, “I have submitted the resignation to the Governor and I have been asked to continue till the formation of the new Government. I thank people of the State and the Governor for the cooperation given to me.” Shettar also said that there was no wave for the Congress but the negative votes of the BJP helped them to come to power.
“Confusion and differences in the party and the Government has caused the defeat. We will take stock of everything.” Shettar was the 21st Chief Minister of the State.
BJP State party president Prahlad Joshi said they would review the possible reasons for the defeat at the earliest. He, however, refused to accept Yeddyurappa factor was the reason for the defeat.
Meanwhile, upset with the defeat of his wife Anita Kumaraswamy at Chennapatna, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy blamed media for the debacle of his party. He said that the JD(S) had been written off by the media who had kept saying it would get around 10-12 seats.
“Despite the fact that we got no support from anyone we will still win over 40 seats,” Kumaraswamy said. He added that the party would continue to fight the Congress and expose corruption.