Eshwarappa should not have written to the Governor: BJP Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh

Expressing displeasure over senior Minister K S Eshwarappa writing a letter to the Governor against Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, BJP National General Secretary (in-charge Karnataka) Arun Singh on Thursday said the Minister should have raised the issue with the Chief Minister directly and in the party forum instead of writing to the Governor.

“Eshwarappa is a senior Minister. Whatever the differences, he should have discussed with the Chief Minister and in the party forum. There is a system in the party to resolve such issues," he told reporters here.

When asked about the party decision on the issues raised by Eshwarappa, Singh said, "Now the party leaders are busy in five-state elections. After the polls, we will discuss the letter.”

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To a question whether the party will take disciplinary action against Eshwarappa for writing a letter to the Governor, Singh said, “everything will be discussed after elections.”

Singh was reacting to a letter written by Rural Development Minister Eshwarappa to Governor Vajubhai Vala, in which the Minister accused Yediyurappa of interference in his department, which is in violation of the Karnataka (Transaction of Business) Rules on division of power in the cabinet.

Sources in the BJP told DH that soon after Eshwarappa's letter leaked to the media, Singh spoke to BJP state unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel and asked him to talk to Eshwarappa and reprimand him

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Apprehending that the letter controversy would impact the party prospects in the coming bypolls, the party top brass also advised Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and Eshwarappa to further not speak on the issue publicly and asked them to put an end to the controversy immediately

Sources said the party top brass was upset with Eshwarappa's letter especially at a time when the bypoll was round the corner.

“Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is a popular leader of the party in the state. The CM has discretionary power in the administration which was known to Eshwarappa also as he is a senior minister,” said a leader in BJP on condition of anonymity.

“There are many workers and leaders, who have strived for the party for many years, did not get any post or position. However Eshwarappa got several posts both in the party as well as the government. He should have followed the party discipline and raised the issue in the party forum, said the leader.

Jarkiholi sex CD Row

On the Congress demand for arrest of Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, Singh said “the Congress always lies and continues to do so.”

"There are reports that Congress leader D K Shivakumar had a role in entire sex CD episode. Now enquiry is going on. Let us see what is coming out. In the coming bypolls, people the state will teach a lesson to Congress," he said.

Singh also expressed confidence that BJP will win in all the three segments bypolls in the state.