Lok Sabha elections: BJP expels former Karnataka deputy CM K S Eshwarappa from party for 6 years

Lok Sabha elections: BJP expels former Karnataka deputy CM K S Eshwarappa from party for 6 years

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday expelled former Karnataka deputy CM K S Eshwarappa from the party for a period of 6 years.

Eshwarappa had previously declared his intention to contest as an Independent candidate from the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka after his son Kanthesh was denied a BJP ticket from the Haveri seat. He is set to compete against former CM B S Yediyurappa’s son and current Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra in the upcoming polls.

“Ignoring the party’s directions, you are contesting as a rebel candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, causing embarrassment to the party. This is violation of party discipline,” state disciplinary committee president Lingaraj Patil said in the expulsion order.

It said, “so, you have been relieved from all the responsibilities and have been expelled from the party for six years, with immediate effect.”

Earlier this month, Eshwarappa stirred controversy when he used Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph for campaign purposes ahead of the general elections. Eshwarappa has filed a caveat in a local court, asserting his right to use PM Modi’s photo during electioneering, as “Modi is our leader”.

Last year, Eshwarappa agreed to the party’s decision to not field him in the Assembly polls, purportedly because the state leadership, including Yediyurappa, had promised to nominate his son Kanthesh for a Lok Sabha ticket. Eshwarappa had anticipated Kanthesh’s candidacy in Haveri, but the ticket was instead awarded to former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Eshwarappa has also held the position of president of the BJP’s Karnataka unit.

(With inputs from agencies)

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