LS elections: Amit Shah invites Eshwarappa to Delhi to resolve differences

Bengaluru: In a bid to address the internal discord in BJP’s Karnataka unit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked former Deputy Minister K S Eshwarappa to meet him in New Delhi.

Eshwarappa has raised a banner of revolt against the BJP in the state by announcing to contest as an independent candidate in the Shivamogga segment.

IANS reported that sources confirmed that Amit Shah spoke to senior leader Eshwarappa who has vowed to challenge the BJP’s candidate, BS Yediyurappa’s son BY Raghavendra in Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency.

Amit Shah reportedly gave a patient hearing to Eshwarappa and even stated that he was not ordering but requesting him to step back. The HM has invited Eshwarappa to meet him in New Delhi on Wednesday, the report added.

Eshwarappa reportedly responded positively and agreed to meet HM Shah in New Delhi to discuss his grievances.

Meanwhile, Eshwarappa while addressing a press conference stated that he would reach New Delhi on Wednesday as HM Amit Shah invited him.

“My struggle is against family politics. The BJP workers are hurt by the encouragement to family politics. HM Amit Shah has directed me to withdraw from the contest against the BJP candidate in Shivamogga. “But, I have conveyed that I am ready to withdraw if the state President’s post is given to any other leader in Karnataka.

“Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has launched a struggle against one family in the country. But, one family is in charge of the BJP in Karnataka. That has to be changed. I will discuss this in New Delhi. But, I will not step back from contesting from the Shivamogga MP seat,” Eshwarappa maintained.

When asked about BS Yediyurappa, planning to visit his house, Eshwarappa stated, that the former CM was proposing to visit him after realising that his son would face defeat.

“He (Yediyurappa) knows my house, let him visit me,” he added.

(With IANS inputs)