The Aryavarth Express
Agency ( Karnataka): In an embarrassing turn of events for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, a long-standing rift within the party’s ranks has spilled into public view, casting a shadow over the saffron outfit’s meticulously orchestrated election campaign. Senior leader K.S. Eshwarappa’s conspicuous absence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Shivamogga on Monday has triggered a fresh wave of speculation and intrigue, laying bare the simmering tensions over ticket distribution for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The 75-year-old former deputy chief minister, a veteran who has played a pivotal role in building the BJP’s grassroots support in Karnataka alongside stalwarts like B.S. Yediyurappa and the late H.N. Ananth Kumar, chose to visit maths (monasteries) of various communities instead of attending the prime minister’s high-profile event. This act of defiance was an unmistakable expression of his disgruntlement over the party’s decision to deny his son, K.E. Kantesh, a ticket to contest from the Haveri constituency.
Eshwarappa’s rebellion against the BJP’s central leadership has been simmering for weeks, with the seasoned leader announcing his intention to contest as an independent candidate from Shivamogga, the bastion of former chief minister Yediyurappa and his family. Eshwarappa’s ire is directed squarely at Yediyurappa and his son, B.Y. Vijayendra, who currently holds the powerful position of state BJP president.
The veteran leader has leveled scathing accusations, alleging that Yediyurappa, a member of the party’s crucial Parliamentary Board, had initially promised Kantesh the Haveri ticket but later betrayed him. Yediyurappa, for his part, has vehemently denied the charges, asserting that candidates are finalized by the central election committee, absolving himself of any direct involvement in the decision.
The BJP’s top brass, recognizing the potential fallout of Eshwarappa’s rebellion, has made concerted efforts to douse the flames. Party national general secretary and state poll in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal has held meetings with the disgruntled leader, imploring him to reconsider his stance. However, Eshwarappa has remained unwavering, adamant in his resolve to contest against Yediyurappa’s son, B.Y. Raghavendra, who has secured the party’s nomination from Shivamogga.
Eshwarappa’s defiance has exposed deep fissures within the BJP’s Karnataka unit, with the veteran leader accusing the Yediyurappa family of holding the party hostage in the state. He has alleged that Hindutva leaders are being sidelined by the powerful father-son duo, portraying his battle as a crusade to “save the party and its ideology” on behalf of aggrieved party workers.
The rebellion has cast a pall over the BJP’s carefully choreographed election campaign, which had been meticulously planned to harness the formidable popularity of Prime Minister Modi. Eshwarappa’s snub to the prime minister’s rally in his home district has undoubtedly caused discomfiture within the party ranks, threatening to undermine the aura of unity and invincibility that the BJP had sought to project.
Vijayendra, the state BJP president and Yediyurappa’s son, has attempted to downplay the rift, expressing confidence that the Eshwarappa issue will be resolved amicably. Acknowledging the veteran leader’s contributions to the party’s growth in Karnataka, Vijayendra reiterated that the central leadership had the final say in candidate selection, distancing himself from the contentious decision.
However, Eshwarappa’s allegations have struck a chord with a section of party workers who feel marginalized by the alleged dynastic grip of the Yediyurappa family. The rebellion has not only exposed faultlines within the BJP’s ranks but has also provided fodder for opposition parties to train their guns on the saffron outfit, accusing it of hypocrisy and abandoning its professed principles of internal democracy.
Political analysts have been quick to draw parallels between Eshwarappa’s revolt and similar upheavals witnessed in other states, where senior leaders have challenged the party’s high command over ticket distribution and organizational matters. The BJP, which prides itself on its disciplined cadre and unwavering allegiance to the central leadership, now finds itself grappling with the challenge of quelling dissent within its ranks.