Former minister KS Eshwarappa addressing media persons, in Mangaluru on March 13, 2023.
Hinting that he is unlikely to contest from Shivamogga constituency in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa said it is not necessary to be an MLA to serve the people.
At a media conference in Mangaluru on March 13, on a question whether he expected to get a party ticket in light of the corruption allegations, Mr. Eshwarappa said, “Why should I contest elections? Is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) only dependent on me? BJP will win more than 150 seats (in Karnataka). Whether I will be one of them or not is irrelevant.
After serving the people for more than two decades, Mr. Eshwarappa said, “To serve the people, I don’t need to be an MLA.”
A senior BJP leader has told party leaders that he is ready to allow a young party worker to contest from the Shivamogga assembly constituency. “If the party wants me to contest, I will do so. Anyway I am happy.
Asked whether his view stems from the realization that the party may not field him this time, Mr. Eshwarappa said the party is conducting surveys through multiple sources. “Whoever is bound by the principles of the party and has a good chance of winning the seat will be fielded by the party high command,” he said. There is nothing in the party’s constitution that can bar workers who are 75 years of age and above from contesting elections.
On the possibility of his son KE Kantesh getting the ticket, Mr Eshwarappa said, “Has he come from heaven? The party can give ticket to me or my son. But I have heard that the party will not give two tickets to one family.
He said that the BJP would definitely get the votes of the nationalist Muslims. The party will continue to support the unity of the country and fight to protect the country’s culture and ethos. “There will be no change in it for political gains,” he said.