‘Violation’ of party discipline: BJP expels rebel leader Eshwarappa for 6 years

BENGALURU: The BJP on Monday expelled former deputy chief minister and rebel leader K S Eshwarappa for six years for ‘violating’ party discipline and contesting Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate. 
In an expulsion order, BJP state disciplinary committee president Lingaraj Patil stated: “You are contesting as a rebel candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, ignoring the party’s directions and causing embarrassment to it. This is a violation of party discipline. So, you have been relieved of all the responsibilities and have been expelled from the party for six years with immediate effect.” 
Eshwarappa is contesting as a rebel against the party’s official candidate, MP B Y Raghavendra, brother of Vijayendra, from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, blaming Vijayendra, his father and senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa for his son K E Kantesh being denied a ticket to contest from Haveri. The party has allotted the Haveri seat to former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. 
The BJP, which made several futile efforts to pacify the disgruntled leader, finally took the decision to expel him on the last day for withdrawal of candidature for the second phase (May 7) of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
The 75-year-old Eshwarappa had also served as the party’s state president in the past.