Former Karnataka deputy chief minister K.S. Eshwarappa was expelled from the Bharatiya Janata Party for six years. The decision was taken over “embarrassing” the party by announcing the decision to contest from Shivamogga constituency independently.
"Ignoring the party's directions, you are contesting as a rebel candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, causing embarrassment to the party. This is a violation of party discipline," state disciplinary committee president Lingaraj Patil said in the expulsion order.
"So you have been relieved from all the responsibilities and have been expelled from the party for six years, with immediate effect," read the order.
Eshwarappa was unhappy over the party's decision to deny a ticket to his son Kanthesh to contest from the Haveri seat. Later, Eshwarappa announced his decision to contest as an Independent candidate from the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency. He will be up against former CM B. S. Yediyurappa’s son and incumbent Shivamogga MP B. Y. Raghavendra.
Eshwarappa had made it clear that he was no longer with the party and does not fear any disciplinary action. However, he had underlined that he was not against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Though many BJP leaders tried to dissuade him from contesting the polls independently, the 75-year-old was steadfast in the decision. Eshwarappa had made it clear that he was no longer with the party and did not fear any disciplinary action. Eshwarappa filed his nomination from Shivamogga constituency as an independent candidate on April 12.
The party's decision to expel the former Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council came on the last day for withdrawal of candidature for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka on May 7.
Eshwarappa has constantly criticised Yediyurappa for sidelining those who espoused the cause of Hindutva like Nalin Kumar Kateel, Pratap Simha, C. T. Ravi and D. V. Sadananda Gowda, reported PTI.
Eshwarappa had also served as the party’s state unit president.
