'BJP Leaders Have Asked Me To Rejoin Party,' Claims Expelled Karnataka Leader Eshwarappa

Eshwarappa stated that he is not in a hurry to make a decision and will deliberate on the matter before taking a final call.

Former BJP leader K S Eshwarappa, who was expelled from the party, revealed on Monday that he has received an invitation to rejoin the saffron party. However, Eshwarappa stated that he is not in a hurry to make a decision and will deliberate on the matter before taking a final call.

"A few BJP leaders approached me, asking to rejoin the party. I haven't decided yet. I am not in a hurry,” Eshwarappa told reporters, according to a report on PTI.

Eshwarappa was expelled from the BJP for six years after he defied the party's directives and contested the Lok Sabha elections independently. He faced a defeat at the hands of B Y Raghavendra, the elder son of former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, in Shimogga constituency. In the elections, BJP also secured a massive win pushing the Congress government to the second spot with single-digit seats. 

The veteran leader, who has held several key positions including Deputy Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, and BJP state president, became disgruntled when the party denied his son, K E Kantesh, a ticket to contest from the Haveri Lok Sabha seat. This led him to openly challenge Yediyurappa and his two sons, Raghavendra and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, accusing them of transforming the BJP into a 'dynastic party' in Karnataka, as per the report.

Eshwarappa's decision to run as an independent candidate from the Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency was met with strong disapproval from the BJP. The state disciplinary committee president, Lingaraj Patil, stated in the expulsion order, "Ignoring the party's directions, you are contesting as a rebel candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, causing embarrassment to the party. This is a violation of party discipline."