The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the decision to expel KS Eshwarappa from the party’s ranks following his announcement to contest the Lok Sabha elections independently in Karnataka’s Shivamogga constituency. In a statement, the party expressed its disappointment, citing that Eshwarappa’s independent candidacy brought embarrassment to the party. This development comes as Shivamogga prepares for the upcoming polls scheduled for May 7 in the third phase of elections.
Former deputy chief minister and prominent BJP leader, KS Eshwarappa, formally submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate from Shivamogga on April 12. Despite initial competition from three other independent candidates who later withdrew their nominations on the final withdrawal day, Eshwarappa remains one of the 23 candidates vying for the seat.
The remaining contenders include B.Y. Raghavendra from BJP, Geetha Shivarajkumar from Congress, S.K. Prabhu from Karnataka Rashtra Samiti, Aruna Kanahalli from Uttama Prajakeeya Party, Mohammed Yusuf Khan from Young Star Empowerment Party, and A.D. Shivappa from Bahujan Samaj Party, among others. Alongside Eshwarappa, there are several other independent candidates in the fray, totaling to 23 candidates in the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat race.