Eshwarappa asserted he would file his nomination in the wake of speculation that he would back off from contesting the polls.
Published Apr 11, 2024 | 7:28 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 11, 2024 | 7:28 PM
KS Eshwarappa during BJP's Vijaya Sankalpa Yatra in Mysuru. (File picture)
In what comes as the biggest setback for BJP in Karnataka ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024, KS Eshwarappa will contest as a ‘rebel candidate’.
Former Karnataka deputy chief minister and rebel BJP leader KS Eshwarappa on Thursday, 11 April, said he would file his nomination for Shimoga Lok Sabha seat on Friday.
Eshwarappa asserted he would file his nomination in the wake of speculation that he would back off from contesting the polls and said a large number of people would turn up.
“Tomorrow, a large number of people from across the constituency will come as I will be filing my nomination papers. I was not sure that I would get such an overwhelming response during my election campaign,” the veteran leader said.
Eshwarappa claimed people were backing him because they were realising that the dream of a ‘Hindutva’ supporter winning the election was going to be fulfilled.
Several Hindutva activists have come out in support across the eight Assembly segments under Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency, he added.
Hitting out at those spreading rumours that he would back off, the former deputy chief minister said, “I am seeing that false information is being spread out of fear of defeat. I don’t know why they are indulging in such activities. I have said in all the languages I know that I am not going to withdraw. My well-wishers have also said I should not give up.”
Eshwarappa had announced that he will contest as an independent candidate from Shimoga (Shivamogga) in the coming Lok Sabha polls, blaming veteran BJP leader BS Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra, who is the state BJP President, for his son KE Kantesh being denied a ticket.
BY Raghavendra — another son of Yediyurappa — is the BJP candidate from Shivamogga.
The rebel leader said the BJP is in the control of ‘father and sons’ in Karnataka and if the party wishes to fight dynastic politics, it should start from the state.
On Sunday, Vijayendra appealed to Eshwarappa not to rebel against the party and contest the Lok Sabha election from Shivamogga against his brother
“Eshwarappa is a senior leader. I appeal to you that your contribution in building the party along with Yediyurappa and former Union Minister late Ananth Kumar is immense,” Vijayendra told reporters in Bengaluru.
Stating that certain circumstances and mindset were responsible for the “current situation”, the BJP state chief said: “When the entire country is hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, please keep aside your grouse and join hands for strengthening the party.”
Eshwarappa is campaigning extensively in Shivamogga and is using Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s picture throughout it.
Fearing that the BJP candidate may object to the use of Modi’s photograph, he even filed a caveat in court.
On using Prime Minister Modi’s photograph in the election campaign, Eshwarappa said Modi is in his heart, which no one can take away.
“Modi is in my heart because he is my role model, I will use his picture. Let the court decide on using Modi’s photograph in the campaign,” he added.
He challenged Yediyurappa not to use Modi’s photo during his son’s election campaign.
“Let Yediyurappa put his photograph in the middle and a picture of his sons on either side and seek votes. We will see how many votes he will get. Yediyurappa had once quit BJP and formed Karnataka Janata Paksha (in 2012). All that he got was six seats,” Eshwarappa said.
(With PTI inputs)
