BJP expels KS Eshwarappa for decision to contest from Shivamogga independently

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, April 22, 2024: The BJP on Monday expelled rebel leader KS Eshwarappa for his decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate from Shivamogga seat.

Eshwarappa, a former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister who had also served as the party’s state unit President, was suspended from the party for six years.

 

"KS Eshwarappa has been suspended for six years as he decided to go against the BJP’s protocols and contest the Lok Sabha elections as an Independent. This has caused embarrassment to the party," a letter from the party read.

The decision comes days after Eshwarappa openly rebelled against the BJP and said that he is no longer with the party and does not fear to face any disciplinary action.

Eshwarappa was unhappy over his son being denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Haveri seat in the southern state. He has blamed Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra and his father and veteran party leader BS Yediyurappa for his son KE Kantesh being denied the ticket.

"What disciplinary action he (Vijayendra) will take, when I’m contesting as an independent? Contesting as an independent means, I have come out of the party. As the BJP state President he doesn’t even know what contesting as an independent means," Eshwarappa had said.

"Take whatever disciplinary action you want. I don’t fear such threats. My intention is similar to that of PM Narendra Modi. Modi says he is fighting against family politics of Congress’ Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at the centre, while my (Eshwarappa) efforts are towards bringing out the party from the clutches of father and sons (Yediyurappa and sons)," he added.

Eshwarappa filed his nomination from Shivamogga constituency as an independent candidate on April 12. He will be contesting against BJP’s sitting MP and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s elder son B Y Raghavendra and Congress candidate Geetha Shivarajkumar.

Many BJP leaders tried to persuade him, but he did not budge. Stating that PM Modi resides in his heart, Eshwarappa can be seen using PM Modi’s pictures during campaigns and sporting a saffron scarf, a move strongly objected by the BJP.

Courtesy: India Today