Eshwarappa's absence sparks speculation

 
The Minister was conspicuous by his absence at the counting centre where the LS results were announced, on May 16.
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa himself landed at the centre to share his son’s joy. All BJP MLAs including Minister Halappa and former MP Ayanur Manjunath were part of the celebrations. But Eshwarappa,who was  in Shimoga, remained absent from the fanfare despite an invitation by the CM.
On May 18 the district sports committee had organised a programme to felicitate the newly elected MP. Eshwarappa was invited as the chief guest, but did not attend the function. The BJP leaders claimed that as the Minister had mouth ulcers, he could not make it.
Eshwarappa, though he had not openly opposed the candidature of Raghavendra, he had made it obvious that a senior party leader should be fielded from Shimoga.
His view was endorsed by another senior leader D H Shankarmurthy of Shimoga. But eventually the CM had the final say in selection of the candidate.
Eshwarappa was present when Raghavendra filed his nominations. But the minister did not enthusiastically campaign in the constituency as he was in-charge of Chikmagalur district.
His displeasure may have reflected the voters’ turnout too. In the last Assembly election, Eshwarappa secured 58,982 votes and won with a margin of 32,419 votes from Shimoga. Raghavendra’s lead in Shimoga against Bangarappa is only 5,006 votes. Eshwarappa was in Bangalore on Tuesday but remained incommunicado for comments.