Amid speculation about the next move of BJP dissidents in view of party’s national leadership’s efforts to resolve differences within the State unit, the dissident leader K.S. Eshwarappa skipped the State-level conference of the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade held at Harshita Garden on the outskirts of Raichur on Wednesday.
In his absence, however, his son and Shivamogga Zilla Panchayat member Kantesh participated and was found handling things at the event.
The uncertainty over the participation of Eshwarappa and other leaders continued till the eleventh hour, adversely affecting the turnout at the programme. Only 400 of the expected 1,500 activists attended. The leaders on the dais justified the low turnout by saying the event was not a conference, but rather an initiative meant for office-bearers only.
Despite this, as there was not much enthusiasm in the air, the programme was cut short. As per the schedule, three sessions were to be held — two deliberative and one interactive — apart from the inaugural and valedictory sessions. Only one deliberative session was held.
‘No link to Eshwarappa’
In a bid to protect Mr. Eshwarappa from the wrath of the BJP national leadership, many leaders on stage repeatedly stated that the brigade was not floated for the benefit of any political leader. They said it was an apolitical outfit meant to fight for the issues of backward communities and would welcome anyone from any backward community, irrespective of his or her political affiliation. They also accused the media of 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 its activities,” said K. Virupakshappa, the brigade’s State president, during a media interaction.
K. Mukudappa, another leader of the outfit, took an aggressive tone against BJP State president and Mr. Eshwarappa’s political rival, B.S. Yeddyurappa, whom he accused of doing favours to only the upper castes.
“Yeddyurappa needs to mend himself. He needs to be more generous towards backward communities. The support of upper castes alone will not make the party successful. We are not sure about the BJP’s victory in the next Assembly elections under the leadership of Yeddyurappa. The national leadership should consider these issues,” he said.
Former Bengaluru mayor Venkatesh Murthy, Backward Communities Forum leader K. Mukudappa, former bureaucrat Puttaswamy and other brigade leaders were present.
