Even as the suspense over the BJP's list of candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls continues, the party's decision to deny tickets to several senior leaders and sitting MLAs has caused heartburn to the veterans and their supporters.
Veteran leaders including a former chief minister and deputy chief minister have been directed by the party high command not to contest the polls and instead "pave the way" for new faces.
The move is said to be part of the BJP's experiment to initiate a generational shift by fielding new faces from constituencies where the organisation is strong.
Former deputy chief minister and Kuruba leader K.S. Eshwarappa (74) announced his retirement from electoral politics at his Shivamogga residence even as the senior leaders were busy finalising the list of candidates in Delhi.
"I have written to the party president J.P. Nadda expressing my will to retire from electoral politics and not to include my candidature from any constituency. I would like to work for the party as it has never got a majority. The party gave me ample opportunities and positions of power from the booth level to deputy chief minister. I am not making the announcement out of fear of being denied the ticket. The state leaders have sent three names from each constituency and I will work for any candidate put up by the party," said Eshwarappa, the Shimoga MLA.
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar (67) who too figured in the list of seniors who are most likely to be denied a ticket to contest in the upcoming Assembly polls citing age, seniority, power and position, expressed his disappointment over the party's decision.
"Today morning, the party high command asked me to make way for new faces. But I do not agree with the party's stand. I have built the party in North Karnataka for the last 30 years, as part of Yediyurappa's team. I have served as CM. I want to be in active politics for ten more years. I have been campaigning in my constituency and there's only two days left for filing nominations. The public opinion is in my favour as I have done good work in my constituency. The leadership could have asked me to back out two months back. This has hurt me. Denying me the ticket will also hurt the sentiments of the party workers," said Shettar, adding his family has been loyal to the party since the Jan Sangh days.
Further, the Lingayat leader reminded the party that he had been elected at least six times from Hubballi Central and Rural Assembly segments with a margin of 30,000 votes. "I am confident of winning with a huge margin. So, I urge them to give me a ticket. The leaders have assured me that they will discuss the matter once again," added Shettar.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai who is in Delhi said that Eshwarappa had written to BJP's national party and conveyed his decision to retire from electoral politics, and also asked the party not to consider his candidature from any constituency.
"Eshwarappa is our senior leader. He had been telling us about his intent to retire and work for the party. This shows that once you reach a certain stage in politics, we must be prepared to pave way for new faces. The party is hoping to usher in a new tradition and culture in politics. On the contrary, the Congress party has given ticket to 91-year-old Shamanur Shivashankarappa. This is the difference between BJP and other parties. Our approach to building leadership and ideals is different," said Bommai.
