BJP Leader Eshwarappa's Absence At PM Modi's Rally An Embarrassment For Party Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

Eshwarappa has announced he will contest as an independent candidate from Shimoga (Shivamogga) in the coming Lok Sabha polls, blaming  veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa and his son B Y Vijayendra.

File photo of Senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa, voiced discontent over the denial of a ticket to his son for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Haveri, and opted to skip Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally on Monday, in an embarrassment to the party.  The 75-year-old former Deputy Chief Minister, K S Eshwarappa, turned down the invitation to attend the event and instead was observed visiting religious institutions of various communities.

Eshwarappa has announced he will contest as an independent candidate from Shimoga (Shivamogga) in the coming Lok Sabha polls, blaming  veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa and his son B Y Vijayendra, who is state BJP President, for his son K E Kantesh being denied ticket, reported news agency PTI.

Despite efforts by party leaders to reconcile, K S Eshwarappa remains resolute in contesting against Yediyurappa's son and sitting MP B Y Raghavendra, who is the BJP candidate from Shimoga. As former BJP state president, Eshwarappa, along with Yediyurappa and the late H N Ananth Kumar, played pivotal roles in building the party's grassroots presence in Karnataka.

Both Yediyurappa and Eshwarappa hail from the Shivamogga district. Eshwarappa has alleged that Yediyurappa, who is a member of the Parliamentary Board, had promised Kantesh the ticket to contest from Havari but betrayed him.      

Yediyurappa Refuted The Allegations

Yediyurappa has refuted the allegations, asserting that candidates are selected by the party's central election committee, and that he had no involvement in it. Despite efforts by BJP leaders, including party national general secretary and State poll in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, to convince him otherwise, K S Eshwarappa remained steadfast in his decision. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has got BJP's Haveri ticket.        

K S Eshwarappa has leveled accusations against the BJP in Karnataka, alleging that it is under the influence of the Yediyurappa family. He claims that his struggle is aimed at safeguarding the party and its principles in the state, representing the sentiments of aggrieved party workers, and ensuring Narendra Modi's return as Prime Minister, as per PTI. He has also said that several Hindutva leaders were being neglected by Yediyurappa and Vijayendra.        

Speaking to reporters, Vijayendra expressed confidence about the Eshwarappa revolt issue getting resolved, and said it was natural for aspirants to get upset on not getting the ticket to contest elections.        

Acknowledging Eshwarappa's contribution in building and strengthening the BJP in Karnataka, he said the candidates for Lok Sabha polls were decided by the party's national leadership, and it was not his decision.