Video of Modi asking Eshwarappa to ensure BJP victory goes viral

A video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling Karnataka BJP leader KS Eshwarappa has gone viral. This clip is out amid rumours of a tiff between him and the party for denying him the ticket to contest in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls.

In the clip, the PM is seen hearing hailing Eshwarappa for his commitment to the party and asking him to ensure that the party wins in the upcoming polls.

However, Eshwarappa was visibly surprised upon getting a call from the Prime Minister and heard thanking the PM for calling a "small karyakarta like" him.

The Karnataka BJP leader tells PM Modi that the party needs "his blessings" and promises him to ensure that the BJP wins.

"I didn't expect his (PM) call, it inspires me to win Shivamogga city and we'll try all possibilities to bring the BJP govt back in Karnataka. It's not something special I have done. I have told the same to PM," ANI quoted the former minister as saying on Friday.

KS Eshwarappa was one of the senior leaders who have been denied a ticket to contest in the assembly polls. He has been replaced by a new candidate Channabasappa in the Shivamogga constituency.

He is the face of a Kuruba community in the BJP and one of the leaders who built the BJP in Karnataka. As directed by the high command, he sent his letter to President JP Nadda that he was quitting from electoral politics to make way for others.

Like Jagadish Shettar, he did not rebel but rather accepted the party's decision to field a new candidate.

In fact, Eshwarappa slammed Shettar for quitting the party which had made him CM of the state and given him various roles. He also criticised the Lingayat leader for joining Congress which he had criticised all his career.

Meanwhile, the Congress has mocked the video of the PM calling Eshwarappa. It tweeted, "It is a sad day for India's democracy. PM Modi has put his stamp on 40% corruption. He has conveyed that lives don't matter to the BJP. The PM called up BJP leader Eshwarappa for not rebelling. Eshwarappa is accused of demanding a 40% commission and was forced to resign over...[sic]"