Lok Sabha Election 2024 | Eshwarappa Set To Contest 2024 LS Polls Despite BJP's Efforts To Pacify

Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, BJP National General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge, was approached by K S Eshwarappa, who rebelled against the party, but the former deputy chief minister remained firm on his decision to contest the Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate.

Eshwarappa, who will contest from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka against former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's elder son B Y Raghavendra, was met by Agarwal and some other senior party functionaries who attempted to convince him not to contest the election.

Eshwarappa Set To Contest 2024 LS Polls

However, Eshwarappa's stance remained "adamant," with his intention to contest the election declared, asserting that his mind could not be changed by anyone. After the meeting, it was clarified by Agarwal that it was a personal visit unrelated to politics, stating, "We are friends from the same party. This was our personal visit. I sat with his family. There were children there. We don't talk politics with children. Meeting family is not a political subject for me." Eshwarappa, in expressing his grievances against former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who is a member of the BJP's Parliamentary Board, accused him of denying a ticket to his son K E Kantesh, reported PTI.

His rebellion has posed a significant embarrassment for the party, especially as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public gathering in Shivamogga, the hometown of Yediyurappa and Eshwarappa, on Monday.

Eshwarappa reiterated his stance, emphasizing, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come back to power again and the party should be free from the control of B S Yediyurappa and his family. With that intention in my mind, I am contesting the Lok Sabha election," reported PTI.

Eshwarappa criticized that central-level BJP leaders were under the "illusion" that only Yediyurappa could ensure a definite number of seats for the party, and emphasized the need to communicate the prevailing political issues in Karnataka to the central leadership.

The situation in Karnataka BJP was likened by Eshwarappa to the Congress, stating, "We call Congress a party controlled by the family of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Even Modi targets Congress for it. Now, the BJP in Karnataka is becoming like Congress."

Reacting to Eshwarappa's statements, it was expressed by Vijayendra, BJP MLA of Shikaripur and Yediyurappa's son, confident that the people of the state and the constituency would respond appropriately. Further comments were refrained from, acknowledging Eshwarappa's seniority in the party and expressing optimism that the situation would be resolved eventually, reported PTI.