Mr. Shashidhara, who contested the Arasikere Assembly constituency in 2018 and lost to K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, then a Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] candidate, has had a long association with the Congress. His father, G.S. Basavaraja, represented Arasikere in the State Assembly.
Interestingly, Mr. Shashidhara had announced his decision to quit the Congress in 2023, ahead of the Assembly elections, expressing displeasure over Mr. Shivalinge Gowda’s entry into the party. However, senior party leaders persuaded him to stay on.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mr. Shashidhara said the party had offered him the post in recognition of his service. He said he would take all party leaders in the district into confidence and work towards strengthening the party organisation.
Congress leaders, including Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, former Minister B. Shivaramu, former MLC M.A. Gopalaswamy and others, have conveyed their wishes to Mr. Shashidhara.
