Karnataka | BJP expels former Deputy CM Eshwarappa for 'embarrassing party'

In a decisive move, the BJP in Karnataka has expelled senior leader KS Eshwarappa for six years for “causing embarrassment” to the party by deciding to contest as an independent from Shivamogga constituency.

Defying the party’s directives, the rebel leader not only jumped into the poll fray but also projected his move as the one aimed at “saving the state BJP from the control of the Yeddyurappa family”.

Having served the state BJP as its two-time president and also a deputy chief minister in the previous regime, Eshwarappa has earned a reputation of being a staunch Hindutva figure and the Kuruba community leader. He was considered a loyal BJP leader who worked along with BS Yediyurappa to build BJP in the state along with the likes of BB Shivappa and HN Ananthkumar since Jana Sangh days.

State BJP Disciplinary Committee chief Lingaraj Patil issued the expulsion order on Friday evening, citing Eshwarappa's actions as a clear violation of the party discipline. “By disregarding the party's instructions and choosing to contest independently, Eshwarappa brought embarrassment to the BJP,” reads the order. He was asked to withdraw his papers, but he did not yield to the orders of BJP bosses as the last date for withdrawal of nomination was April 22.

As per the order, Eshwarappa is relieved of all responsibilities within the party effective immediately. The expulsion serves as a stern warning against deviating from party directives.

BSY vs Eshwarappa

The expulsion of Eshwarappa from the BJP hasn’t come overnight, as political tensions were simmering between him and Yediyurappa for quite some time, signalling a potential rift within the party.

Recognised as a pivotal figure in expansion of the BJP’s footprint in the state, Eshwarappa has found himself at odds with the faction led by Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra. Despite his significant contribution to the party’s rise, he was being sidelined by the Yediyurappa camp. He was not allotted the party ticket in the 2023 assembly elections. Eshwarappa wanted his son Kanthesh to contest from the Haveri LS constituency, but he too was denied the opportunity.

These developments forced Eshwarappa to contest from the Shivamogga constituency, where BSY's son and MP BY Raghavendra is contesting again. His candidature is being seen as a threat to BSY's son as the former could garner support from the Backward Classes and pro-Hindutva groups, given his own branding as a Hindutva leader.

Vows loyalty to Modi

Interestingly, Eshwarappa is using the portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his campaign meetings while contesting as a rebel candidate.

The party’s official candidate, BY Raghavendra, and local BJP unit leaders have objected to Eshwarappa using Modi's image. However, the rebel leader has hit back, saying, “Modi is not the property of somebody's father's. Nobody can tell me that Modi's picture should not be used. Prime Minister Modi is a world leader. I always carry Modi in my heart.”

Show of strength

In a massive show of strength, Eshwarappa had filed his nomination papers a couple of weeks ago. He along with his thousands of workers walked through the main streets of the city before filing his nomination. Chanting "Jai Shri Ram" and pro-Modi slogans, his supporters displayed saffron flags during the procession.

Eshwarappa, who had announced that his fight was only against the Yediyurappa family, said he would contest the elections to make Narendra Modi the prime minister of the country once again.