New Delhi: Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagadish Shettar who joined Congress early on Monday announced to file nomination on April 19 for the Hubbali-Dharwad Central seat ahead of the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023.

Talking to media persons while holding a bouquet in hands and wearing scarf of Congress’ logo print, Shettar said, “On 19th, I am going to file my nomination. All Congress leaders and followers will be there in the nomination.”

Shettar was asked about his collaboration with the other aspirants in the grand-old party who had already been eying on the same seat, the former Leader of Opposition (LoP) responded with a smile and that “it is 100 percent that they will be with us always like before,” amid pro-Congress sloganeering.

#WATCH | Hubbali: "On the 19th, I am going to file my nomination. All Congress leaders and followers will be there in the nomination," says #JagadishShettar, former senior BJP leader who joined the Congress party today. #KarnatakaElections2023 pic.twitter.com/iIi2BV1YVg

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— ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2023

The former Chief Minister of Karnataka joined Congress this morning after quitting the saffron party on Sunday following conflicts with the top leadership who adviced him to take his name off the list to contest Vidhan Sabha elections from Hubbali seat.

This had upset Shettar who ended up giving an ultimatum to the party that they should allot him the ticket or he will break up the decades-long allegience with it, which ultimately happened.

Read More: Karnataka Assembly Polls: Jagadish Shettar joins Congress in ‘fight against dictatorial govt’

Meanwhile, the ruling party tried its luck to retain the 67-year-old leader even after the ultimatum and sent a envoy of three top officials including Union Minister and Karnataka election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, Pralhad Joshi and CM Basavaraj Bommai to meet him.

In the last-minute meeting with Shettar, the BJP envoy gave impressive offers to Shettar such as an entry to the Rajya Sabha but the now-turned rebel leader persisted and denied.