The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday expelled senior leader KS Eshwarappa for six years for “embarrassing” the party by deciding to contest as an independent from Shivamogga constituency in Karnataka.
Eshwarappa, earlier this month, had announced to contest the Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate after the BJP denied a poll ticket to his son KE Kanthesh from Haveri, and instead fielded former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. Referring to ex-chief minister BS Yediyurappa and his sons, the rebel leader had said that he is contesting the election as an independent to “free the BJP from the control of father and sons”.
Eshwarappa poll campaign controversy
The former deputy chief minister landed in a controversy after he used Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo for poll campaigning despite filing a nomination for the Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate.
Following this, the BJP, on April 10, filed a complaint to the Election Commission to bar Eshwarappa from using Modi's photo, adding that the former deputy chief minister has been “misleading” the public that he is contesting on behalf of PM Modi and the BJP.
“He portrays that he is a part of the BJP, which is incorrect,” the complaint said.
{{/usCountry}}“He portrays that he is a part of the BJP, which is incorrect,” the complaint said.
{{/usCountry}}Days later, the saffron party also filed a plea at the Shivamogga civil court seeking a restraining order against the rebel leader.
‘Won't withdraw the nomination’
Amid the controversy, union home minister Amit Shah had called Eshwarappa asking him to withdraw his candidature. However, he refused the request.
Addressing a press conference on April 13, Eshwarappa said, “Some people are spreading rumours that I will withdraw my nomination papers. Those who rally behind me, I would like to say, I will never betray and remain in the fray.”
Eshwarappa will be contesting against BJP’s sitting MP and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s elder son B Y Raghavendra and Congress candidate Geetha Shivarajkumar from the Shivamogga constituency.
Shivamogga will go to the polls on May 7 in the phase three of the general election.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)