On Tuesday, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader KS Eshwarappa announced his decision to quilt electoral politics weeks ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka.
BJP leader Chalavadi T. Narayanswamy reacted to the development by stating that it was a commendable choice made by a top leader. He (Narayanswamy) has served the party for 40–45 years, he claimed when speaking to the media. He must now make a choice. Youth, in his opinion, need to step up and assume responsibilities. They desire fresh faces in politics.
In addition, Narayanswamy claimed that Halady Srinivas Shetty, another BJP leader, had decided not to contest in the upcoming elections.
Not only him, but Halady Srinivas Shetty has withdrawn from the race because he wants to win every election.Halady Srinivas Shetty has instructed the party to select whatever candidate they like. Senior leaders make these choices for the benefit of the party and the nation, he continued.
When asked if his son, KE Kantesh, would receive the ticket from that seat, Narayanswamy responded that only the high leadership had the authority to decide such matters.
“We are unaware of that. The choice of whether to accept his son (Eshwarappa’s) request or not will be made by the party high leadership alone, he claimed.
As per the sources, some more senior party leaders may quit electoral politics ahead of the ticket announcement.
Earlier in the day, BJP MLA from Shivamogga, KS Eshwarappa, said that he would not contest the Karnataka Assembly Elections scheduled for next month.
In a letter to BJP President JP Nadda, Eshwarappa said, “I am withdrawing from electoral politics.”
“The party gave me a lot of responsibilities in the last 40 years, from a booth in charge to the state party chief. I also had the honour of becoming Deputy Chief Minister. Thank you so much.” He added it to the letter.