'Remove Vijayendra or Raghavendra First…': KS Eshwarappa on Why He Won't Withdraw LS Nomination

Former Karnataka deputy CM KS Eshwarappa is contesting as an independent candidate from Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency. (Image: News18)

A former deputy chief minister of Karnataka, KS Eshwarappa is going from door to door, opening his heart to the voters about how they should choose him to “save” the BJP and its principles. Contesting as an Independent from Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency after the BJP denied him a ticket, he said the BJP should not be a party of “appa makalu” (fathers and sons).

During his public meetings, the five-time MLA from Shivamogga has made it a point to stress that his fight is against ‘pariwarvaad’ or dynastic politics, which he said is seen in the Congress and JD(S) and has now trickled down to the BJP.

“BSY (BS Yediyurappa) is my close friend, my brother, my leader. But he is forced to do things just like Deve Gowda and Sonia Gandhi are doing for the sake of their children,” Eshwarappa told News18 in an exclusive interview.

He alleged that this is being fostered by Yediyurappa, former Karnataka CM and BJP parliamentary board member, to secure posts and power for his sons, BY Raghavendra and BY Vijayendra.

Raghavendra is the sitting MP from Shivamogga, who is seeking re-election for the third time while Vijayendra is the state BJP chief. “I say the BJP should either remove Vijayendra as state BJP president or cancel the ticket given to Raghavendra for the Shimoga LS seat. If you do not do this, the BJP has no right to criticise the Congress and call it a party of dynasts,” he said.

Eshwarappa decided to contest as an Independent after the BJP denied him a Lok Sabha ticket from Shivamogga, which he was hopeful of getting after being asked to step aside in the previous assembly election held in 2023.

As part of his campaign, the 76-year-old leader starts his day at the break of dawn. Visiting various temples, where people gather to meet him, he goes around assuring them that he still has the BJP in his heart and he is fighting to save Hindutva.

“BSY left the BJP and formed the KJP for the sake of power. Look at me, I am an RSS man from childhood and will remain so till my dying breath. You cannot replace me from the BJP or remove BJP from me,” he said.

Upset about how he was treated as compared to another BJP leader, Jagadish Shettar, Eshwarappa said he will be seeking an explanation from the BJP high command on the injustice meted out to him.

“When Shettar left the BJP and went to the Congress, BSY and his son went and fell at his feet and asked him to return; they gave him a Lok Sabha ticket. They came to my house as well and asked me not to contest,” he said.

Vijayendra has said the party will crack the whip on all those who do not adhere to the diktat, and Eshwarappa will face consequences for his action. “You (BJP) can suspend if you want, but how can you? I am standing as an Independent, so how can you suspend me from the BJP?” Eshwarappa asked.

The Election Commission of India has warned the BJP leader against using Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face as part of his campaign, while the saffron party had filed a case challenging his move. But, Eshwarappa stands steadfast with his decision to use the prime minister’s face during his campaign and his speeches.

“Modi is in my heart on one side and Ram on the other. Modi is not anybody’s asset, he is a world asset. If the court says that I cannot use his photo, Modi is inside my heart. I will win this election and support Modi,” he said.

Asked if he will withdraw his nomination if he comes under pressure or Prime Minister Modi asks him to, like he did in the assembly polls, Eshwarappa said he will not budge.

“I am here to fight an election to win, not to withdraw my nomination. People depend on me and have asked me to take this fight against ‘pariwarvaad’ and take Hindutva ahead. Why should I withdraw? I will take this fight to the very end and win,” the leader said.