Eshwarappa challenges CM Siddaramaiah to oust Shamanur from Congress

"Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa has opposed the State Government's decision on independent religion tag for Lingayat-Veerashaiva, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should expel him from the party, if he has the guts," challenged Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa.

He told media persons here recently that Mr Sidaramaiah has divided the religion, though Mr Shivashankarappa clearly stated that Veerashaiva and Lingayat are the same.

If Mr Shivashankarappa is not ousted from the Congress party, it shows that the chief minister's decision has no value at all, he said.

Later, Mr Eshwarappa attended the BJP's preparatory meeting for the backward classes convention to be held at Kaginele on April 3. As many as 10,000 people from each Assembly constituency should attend the convention for which five lakh people are expected, he said.

When BJP was in power in the State, many facilities were given to backward classes, and they are with the BJP still now, he added.

MP Pralhad Joshi, MLC Raghunath Malkapure, N Ravikumar, and others were present.