Shivamogga: In Karnataka, senior BJP leader KS Eswarappa said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked him to withdraw his candidature, but he firmly replied that he would contest. On Tuesday, he alleged that his party colleague BS Yediyurappa had promised a ticket to his son but betrayed him, PTI reported.
BJP had denied a ticket to Eshwarappa's son, KE Kanthesh, to contest from Haveri. Then, an annoyed Eshwarappa decided to contest in Shivamogga, where BJP had fielded Yediyurappa's son BY Raghavendra, who is an MP.
He said Shah, who was on a visit to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, called him up and asked him to withdraw his candidature, but he did not agree.
"This morning Amit Shah had called me. He told me that you are such a senior leader and contesting the election, which is surprising. He asked me why I am contesting," he told reporters here.
"Amit Shah asked me not to contest the election and withdraw the nomination papers. He said all the demands will be addressed in the coming days. Three months back I had gone to Delhi and I had explained to him (the prevailing situation in the party) but there were no changes in the situation," the 75-year-old rebel BJP leader said.
Eshwarappa said that Shah asked him to meet him in Delhi on April 3. Though agreed for the meeting, he requested him not to press him to withdraw his decision.
"He must have understood my sentiments behind contesting the election. I will win the election and it will help achieve all the objectives for which I am contesting the election," Eshwarappa said.
"I told him (Mr Shah) that I am contesting because I am deeply hurt just as all the workers are in pain, who want 'purification' of the party," he said.
Mr Eshwarappa said the BJP in Karnataka unit should follow what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been saying - to end dynastic politics.
"Narendra Modi has given a call to free a political party from a family but in the BJP Karnataka unit, the Congress culture is growing," Mr Eshwarappa said adding that it is unjust that the entire party is in the control of a family in the State.