Vijayendra appeals to KSE to reconsider his decision, but the latter sticks to his guns

Shivamogga BJP president urges Eshwarappa to withdraw from Lok Sabha polls, Eshwarappa refuses and demands Vijayendra's resignation.

BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra on Sunday appealed to former Deputy Chief Minister K.S. Eshwarappa to change his decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls to ensure Narendra Modi is re-elected as Prime Minister.

However, Mr. Eshwarappa has rejected the appeal and asked Mr. Vijayendra to resign the party post.

Mr. Vijayendra, who was here as part of the campaign for his brother B.Y. Raghavendra, BJP candidate for the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat, told presspersons that Mr. Eshwarappa must have taken the decision to jump into the poll fray because of certain situations.

“Anyhow, through the media and with folded hands, I request him to change his decision. If he has any issues with the party, I wish he talk to senior party leaders in Delhi and get them resolved. And, we are always with him,” he said.

Mr. Vijayendra also noted that Mr. Eshwarappa had built the BJP in Karnataka along with former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and former Union Minister Ananth Kumar.

“His contribution to building the party in the State is significant. If there are any issues, we can discuss them after the elections. Right now, the task before us is the Lok Sabha elections. To ensure Mr. Modi is re-elected, I wish he extends support to Mr. Raghavendra,” the BJP State chief said, adding that his brother would win by a margin of not less than two lakh votes.

Mr. Eshwarappa, who held a meeting with his supporters in Shivamogga, rejected Mr. Vijayendra’s appeal. Instead, he asked him to resign, as the party State unit was in the stranglehold of “Appa-Makkalu” (father and children).