Amid speculations over BJP dissidents’ next political move in view of party national leadership’s directions and efforts to resolve differences within the State unit, dissidents’ leader K.S. Eshwarappa skipped the State-level conference of Sangolli Rayanna Brigade held at Harshita Garden on the outskirts of Raichur on Wednesday. In his absence, his son and Shivamogga Zilla Panchayat member Kantesh was found handling many things at the event.
The uncertainty over the participation of Mr. Eshwarappa and other leaders adversely impacted the turnout. Only 400 of the expected 1,500 activists attended the event. The leaders from the dais justified the low turnout by stating that the event was not a conference, but an exercising initiative meant for only office-bearers.
Even the programme was cut short. As per the schedule, the event had three sessions – two deliberative and one interactive – apart from inaugural and valedictory sessions. Only one deliberative session was held.
In a bid to safeguard Mr. Eshwarappa from the wrath of BJP national leadership, many leaders from the stage constantly stated that the Brigade was not floated for benefiting a political leader. They said that it was an apolitical outfit meant for fighting for the issues of backward communities and they would welcome anybody from any backward community irrespective of his/her political affiliations. They blamed the media for projecting the organisation as one floated for strengthening Mr. Eshwarappa’s position in the party.
“The Brigade doesn’t have any relationship with Mr. Eshwarappa. He never involved himself in organising the activities of the organisation. It is an apolitical organisation striving for the development of backward communities,” K. Virupakshappa, Rayanna Brigade’s State president, said during his interaction with the media.
K. Mukudappa, another leader of the outfit, was aggressive against BJP State president and Mr. Eshwarappa’s political rival B.S. Yeddyurappa. He criticised Mr. Yeddyurappa for doing favours to only upper castes.
“Yeddyurappa needs to mend himself. He needs to be more generous towards backward communities. Upper castes’ support alone would not give success to the party. We are not sure about BJP’s victory in the next Assembly elections under the leadership of Yeddyurappa. The party’s national leadership should take these issues in to account,” he said.
Siddaramanandapuri Swamiji, Thinthini Kaginele Peetha, said that the organisation would work not for any political party or leader, but for backward classes.
Former Mayor of Bengaluru Venkatesh Murthy, Backward Communities Forum leader K. Mukudappa, former bureaucrat Puttaswamy and other Brigade leaders were present.
