Did BJP high command ask Eshwarappa to hang up his boots?

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru:

Did the BJP high command force former minister K.S.Eshwarappa to announce his retirement from electoral politics in the name of grooming youngsters? It’s yes, according to sources close to the veteran BJP leader. On Tuesday morning, Eshwarappa was almost certain to get the ticket to contest from Shivamogga City constituency despite stiff opposition from local BJP leaders.

But the one call from Delhi ended his electoral politics lasting almost four decades. Soon, the BJP’s Kuruba face convened a press conference to announce his retirement much to the surprise of everyone. But his fans took to the streets, burnt tyres and raised slogans against the party high command for denying a ticket to their leader who has been associated with the BJP since the 1980s and has not changed parties even as his contemporary and former CM, B.S.Yediyurappa quit the BJP to launch a new regional party.

Some say the high command wants to infuse young blood into the party and for that reason, senior leaders were denied tickets. Eshwarappa, 74, wants the party to give his son, K.E.Kantesh the ticket for Shivamogga City. It remains to be seen if this happens with other aspirants too in the vying for the seat Ironically, while Eshwarappa was made to retire from electoral politics, Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol, the 72-year-old MLA from Mudhol, has been given a ticket. This, according to sources, has hurt Eshwarappa and other leaders