Former minister B Nagaraj Shetty, who left the BJP to join the JD(S), received a ‘surprise gift’ on Monday.
JD(S) president M B Sadashiva, at a press meet convened in Mangalore, declared that B Nagaraj Shetty had been made the state vice-president of the party. The post was specially created for him by H D Kumaraswamy, Sadashiva said. JD(S) now has three senior state vice-presidents, including Amarnath Shetty and Sushil Narohna.
Former minister Amarnath Shetty, handing over the letter to Shetty, declared that the party had been strengthened with the inclusion of Shetty. To queries on why he had accepted the post when he had made it clear that he was not hankering after any position, Shetty maintained that he had not lobbied for any post.
Sadashiva, rushing to the defence of Shetty, said the post was a ‘surprise gift.’ When asked if he would accept a proposal to contest on a JD(S) ticket, Shetty replied in the negative. “I will work as a party activist for the welfare of the poor and minorities. I do not eye posts. I am even willing to work as a personal assistant to Kumaranna,” Shetty declared.