Eshwarappa: ‘Very happy with you’: PM Modi dials Eshwarappa, hails his loyalty to BJP | Karnataka Election News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Friday called up former deputy CM of Karnataka K S Eshwarappa, a move seen as an effort to keep party ranks intact in view of several leaders switching to other parties after they were denied tickets for the assembly polls.
A five-term MLA from Shivamogga, Eshwarappa had recently written to party president J P Nadda announcing his retirement from electoral politics. He is said to have sought the ticket for his son K E Kantesh from the same constituency. However, the party brass overlooked Eshwarappa’s request and fielded Channabasappa.
Whileseveral leaders, including former CM Jagadish Shettar, quit BJP and are in fray as Congress nominees, Eshwarappa has continued with the party and also exhorted “rebellious” leaders to return to the party fold.
Eshwarappa shared a video of his conversation with the PM on social media. In the video, Modi is heard saying, “You have demonstrated your commitment to the party. I am very happy with you. So, I decided to talk to you.” PM is also heard saying he will meet Eshwarappa whenever he visits Karnataka. In reply, Eshwarappa told the PM that the BJP would win the upcoming election.