Eshwarappa hints at electoral return in 2028

 Shivamogga: Former Karnataka deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa has announced that either he or his son will contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections from the Shivamogga City constituency. Eshwarappa, who contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Shivamogga as an independent candidate after rebelling against the BJP, has now begun preparations for the next Assembly election. Speaking amid the launch of booth-level organisational activities, Eshwarappa said the BJP was facing several internal problems and would struggle to win a large number of seats if elections were held in the present circumstances.

His supporters have started preparations under the banner of the Rashtrabhaktara Balaga. A booth-level convention was launched at the Face College auditorium in Shivamogga, marking the beginning of organisational work across all 297 booths in the city. Eshwarappa’s son Kantesh Eshwarappa said the organisation was preparing to face the Assembly election and would strengthen its presence at the grassroots level. He claimed that Eshwarappa’s supporters had played an important role in the BJP’s victory in the previous Assembly election from Shivamogga City. According to him, their support had contributed significantly to the victory of BJP candidate Channabasappa.

Kantesh alleged that while the children of several BJP leaders had received electoral opportunities, injustice had been done to the Eshwarappa family. He said either Eshwarappa or he would contest from Shivamogga City in 2028, with the final decision to be taken in consultation with workers of the Rashtrabhaktara Balaga. The organisation has also begun preparing for a possible municipal corporation election, which could be held before the Assembly polls.