Eshwarappa's absence at BJP office sparks speculations

He is reportedly unhappy with Ananth Kumars intervention in govt

 BJP State President K S Eshwarappa keeping off the party office for more than a week now has sparked speculations in political circles that he may be unhappy with some recent developments in the party.

Sources in the party said Eshwarappa was unhappy about the increasing inference of party national general secretary Ananth Kumar in running the government.

Eshwarappa apparently has confided about Kumar’s control over Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar with some of his close aides. He is also said to be upset that Kumar made a public announcement that Shettar would lead the party in the assembly polls without consulting him.

However, Eshwarappa denied that there was any rift in the party. He also denied reports in some electronic media that he had complained about Ananth Kumar with senior RSS functionaries. “Our strength is unity. So why will I complain? I have no problems with anyone,” he insisted.

Eshwarappa was briefly in Bangalore to attend the Cabinet meeting on Saturday but soon left for his home district even as senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley arrived in the State capital on a two-day visit. “I was feeling unwell. I feel it was best to take rest for a couple of days,” Eshwarappa said.

When asked by this newspaper whether he foresees any problem for the party on January 23, the day some BJP MLAs are likely to resign to join the KJP, Eshwarappa said there is no threat to the BJP at all.

He said at the most two or three MLAs may go but not in large numbers as claimed by the KJP. “Why will any MLA or minister (except one or two) resign? Everyone is keen to retain their membership of the Assembly. The BJP has no threat and it will complete its term,” he said.

Jaitley in B’lore

BJP leader Arun Jaitley will attend an interaction programme organised by Samagra Vikas, an NGO and “Friends of BJP” at Jnanajyothi auditorium in Bangalore.

The invitees to this programme are Twitter afficionados and followers of Jaitley on Twitter. The event will start at 2 pm and there is also an open session. However, entry will be open only for those who have registered for the event.

During his stay in Bangalore, Jaitley is likely to keep away from political engagements. He was received at the airport by Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka.

On Sunday, Jaitley, who is leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, will inaugurate the BJP State Legal Cell Lawyers Conference at Gayathri Vihar, Palace Grounds at 10:30 am.