New Delhi (Agency):In an unexpected twist, Karnataka’s Congress party has set plans in motion to attract top leaders from the opposing BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This strategic move is labeled ‘Operation Hasta’, with ‘Hasta’ translating to ‘hand’ in Kannada. This approach is intended to significantly weaken the BJP before the upcoming elections.
According to certain insiders, S.T. Somashekar and M.T.B. Nagaraj, who were previously with Congress, are rumored to be switching back from the BJP. These leaders had moved to the BJP during ‘Operation Lotus’ in Karnataka.
S.T. Somashekar, a present BJP MLA representing Yeshwanthpur, made waves recently when he publicly referred to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as his “guru” or mentor. Somashekar mentioned that his political success was largely due to Shivakumar’s guidance. Such statements led to discomfort within the BJP, especially after their recent loss in the Assembly elections.
M.T.B. Nagaraj, another former minister, voiced his discontent after joining the BJP, stating he has been struggling to secure election victories. Close sources reveal that after leaving his Cabinet minister position for the BJP, Nagaraj felt overlooked as the party did not offer him his preferred ministerial role.
Another ex-minister, N. Muniratna, currently a BJP MLA from RR Nagar, expressed his resolution to retire from politics rather than returning to Congress. In his words, “I won’t knock on the doors of Congress… If anyone wants to quit BJP, it will be their decision. Out of the 17 leaders who joined the BJP from Congress and JD (S), I don’t know about the rest, but I can assure about myself that I am not going back.”
H. Vishwanath, a senior figure who moved from Congress to BJP, however, confirmed his decision to rejoin Congress.
Insiders hint that Deputy CM Shivakumar is keenly involved in ‘Operation Hasta’. Addressing queries about this operation, Shivakumar underlined that the Congress is majorly focused on the Lok Sabha elections. He advised party members to avoid divisive politics and instead grow the party’s vote share. He emphasized the importance of flexibility in politics, saying, “It is a decision left to the local leaders as to who they want to invite into the party fold. Where Congress is weak in the state, the decision will be taken in the interest of the party.”