In Shimoga, Karnataka, a prominent figure within the Karnataka BJP, KS Eshwarappa, renowned for his ongoing rivalry with former Deputy Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, has directed criticism towards the prominent Lingayat leader. This action comes following the denial of a ticket for Eshwarappa’s son to contest the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha seat.
Expressing discontentment after the BJP selected former CM Basavaraj Bommai as the candidate for the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha constituency, Eshwarappa asserted that Yediyurappa had assured his son, KE Kantesh, of the party’s backing for the seat.
Voicing his grievances on Wednesday, Eshwarappa stated, “Yediyurappa pledged that KE Kantesh would secure the BJP ticket from Haveri. Trusting his word, Kantesh focused his endeavors on Hageri, seeking to gain the confidence of the populace.”
Nevertheless, despite these efforts, my son was ultimately denied a ticket. Yediyurappa deceived us. Allegedly prompted by his supporters to contest the Shimoga seat independently, opposing Yediyurappa’s son BY Raghavendra, as an act of protest.
“The party’s control in Karnataka seems to be consolidated within a single family. There is a growing sentiment within to shield the party from this familial influence. Are there no other prominent Lingayat leaders in Karnataka? Yediyurappa ensured tickets for Shobha Karandlaje and Basavaraj Bommai. Then why was my son Kantesh sidelined? This is a severe injustice,” lamented the senior BJP figure.
“I have dedicated 40 years of loyal service to the party. CT Ravi, Sadananda Gowda, Nalin Kumar Kateel, and Pratap Simha have also voiced their support for me, decrying the unfair treatment,” Eshwarappa claimed.
Accusing Yediyurappa of intentionally awarding the Haveri ticket to Bommai despite assurances that Kantesh would be chosen, Eshwarappa remarked, “Bommai stated during the election committee meeting that he was in poor health and would not contest the Lok Sabha elections. He advocated for Kantesh to receive the Haveri ticket. Despite expressing reluctance to contest, he was nominated. Yediyurappa deliberately favored Bommai for the Haveri ticket. This decision by Yediyurappa is unjust to loyal party members,” he asserted.
With his supporters urging him to contest the Shimoga elections, Eashwarappa remarked, “They believe that if you contest (Shimoga), victory is assured. Moreover, I am in favor of Modi serving another term as PM.”
Responding to Eshwarappa’s dissatisfaction over the denial of the Haveri ticket for his son, Bommai previously stated, “I had advocated for KE Kantesh to be given the ticket to ensure social justice, but the national leadership chose me instead to secure victory for the party in this constituency.”
Acknowledging Eshwarappa’s seniority and contributions to the party, Bommai affirmed, “Eshwarappa is a highly respected and valued colleague within the party, and he will receive the respect he deserves.” He added, “Party workers expressed their desire for sitting MP DV Sadananda Gowda to contest again from the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency.”
Both Eshwarappa and Sadananda Gowda will be offered significant roles within the party,” he concluded. Responding to Eshwarappa’s accusation against his father regarding the denial of a ticket for his son, Yediyurappa’s son and sitting MP BY Raghavendra assured that party leaders would engage with him.
“Eshwarappa is understandably upset. Anyone in his position would feel aggrieved. It is natural to experience distress in such circumstances. I am uncertain as to why they (Eashrappa and his son) were not awarded tickets. However, I am unaware of the reasons behind his accusations against BS Yediyurappa. It appears that he holds an erroneous perception of my father. I am confident that senior party members will reach out to him and resolve the issues,” remarked Raghavendra.
Expressing gratitude towards the party leadership for nominating him as the candidate from Shimoga, Raghavendra disclosed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the constituency on March 18 to campaign on his behalf. “I am honored to be chosen as the BJP candidate once more. I extend my thanks to the party leadership for their continued faith in me. Prime Minister Modi has set a target of securing more than 400 seats (for NDA). He will be visiting Shimoga on March 18. Our campaign will commence with his visit,” stated Raghavendra.
On March 13, the BJP unveiled its second list comprising 72 Lok Sabha candidates, including three former chief ministers and four Union Ministers. In Karnataka, the party nominated Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from Dharwad, Tejaswi Surya from Bangalore South constituency, Bommai from Haveri, and PC Mohan from Bangalore Central.
The BJP also announced Raghvendra’s candidacy from Shimoga and V Sommana’s from Tumkuru. Earlier this month, the party released its first list featuring PM Modi from Varanasi, Home Minister Amit Shah from Gandhinagar, and Mansukh Mandaviya from Porbandar.