Cong MLA Shivalli claims BJP leader tried to lure him

The Congress's Kundgol (Dharwad district) MLA C S Shivalli claimed that he was approached by a BJP leader, also a former minister, asking him to join the saffron party.

Speaking to DH on Friday, Shivalli said the BJP leader, who he did not wish to name, approached him 15 days ago. Shivalli, however, did not divulge details of the BJP's offer.

“Luring of Congress MLAs by BJP leaders is taking place for the last many days. They have approached many Congress MLAs. But none of them have accepted the offer,” Shivalli said.

Shivalli said he was "devoted" to his party and would never shift to the BJP, sacrificing his secular ideology.

The rumours over Shivalli joining the BJP have been doing the rounds in the Congress, too, after he was denied a ministerial berth in the coalition government.

The three-time MLA from Kundgol, who has five cases against him, including an attempt to murder case, said he is one of the aspirants for the ministerial berth in the coalition government.

“I have rejected the BJP's offer. I am hopeful about the Congress high command and state leaders making me a minister,” Shivalli said.

The MLA said by inducting him into the state Cabinet, the Congress would strengthen its base further in North Karnataka.

Shivalli, who belongs to the Kuruba community, also claimed that the Jarkiholi brothers have not instructed him over anything and his interactions with them have been limited to only administrative issues as Ramesh Jarkiholi is a minister.