Eshwarappa to contest as Independent candidate from Shivamogga LS seat

Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, K.S. Eshwarappa, startled political circles by declaring his candidacy as an Independent from Shivamogga in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Eshwarappa made this announcement following a gathering with his supporters in Shivamogga on Friday. Expressing his intentions, Eshwarappa stated that he would contest independently to highlight the dominance of Yediyurappa’s family within the state BJP.

“The prevalence of family politics within the state BJP is distressing to Hindutva activists,” he emphasized.

Responding to the situation, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai clarified that he had never betrayed Eshwarappa. He revealed that he had advocated for Eshwarappa’s son K.E. Kantesh to receive a ticket based on principles of social justice.

Speaking to reporters in Haveri, where he is contesting, Bommai expressed his lack of awareness regarding Eshwarappa’s meeting.

“I had suggested Kantesh for Gadag-Haveri to uphold social justice. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J.P. Nadda urged me to contest from Haveri. Hence, I am contesting from this constituency,” Bommai explained.

Acknowledging Eshwarappa’s contributions, Bommai affirmed that Eshwarappa has played a crucial role in building the party within the state, earning his respect as a loyal party member.

Bommai added that he and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will engage in discussions with Eshwarappa to address the situation.

In the fray from Shivamogga, the BJP has nominated B.Y. Raghavendra, the son of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, while the Congress has put forward Geetha Shivarajkumar as its candidate.

Geetha Shivarajkumar, daughter of the late former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa and sister of state Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, is married to Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar.