Congress reaches out to BJP rebel Nitin Guttedar in Afzalpur

KALABURAGI: The state Congress may be looking to execute ‘ Ghar Vapsi on its national president Mallikarjun Kharge home turf. As a first step, the party has reached out to BJP rebel Nitin Guttedar, who secured 50,000 votes in the Assembly election, but was defeated by a margin of 4,000 votes in Afzalpur constituency.

Even after his defeat, Nitin has maintained good ties with the people in the constituency, so Congress leaders are keen to invite Nitin to join the party though it is represented by MLA M Y Patil in that constituency. Also, Nitin Guttedar was in the Congress previously and was zilla panchayat president.

Nitin Guttedar says he has got feelers from both the BJP and Congress.

But with the change in the direction of the political winds, he joined the BJP along with his brother Malikayya Guttedar in 2018. Now, with political animosity between the brothers, the Congress plans to bring him back to its fold.

Nitin Guttedar has asked Congress leaders for time to take a final decision after discussing it with supporters’ in a meeting. Thus, the BJP and Congress are watching Nitin Guthedar’s move closely. “I have got feelers from both the Congress and BJP, but I will hold discussions with my supporters before taking any decision. As of now, I am still independent. But with the Lok Sabha elections coming up next year, I will take a decision after consultations”, he told Public TV.