Senior BJP leader Eshwarappa expresses displeasure over indiscipline in party, blames Cong turncoats
Shivamogga (K'taka) (PTI): With statements from some Karnataka BJP leaders that "adjustment politics" contributed to the party's rout in the Assembly elections sparking off a political debate, veteran leader K S Eshwarappa on Monday expressed displeasure about party discipline being "flouted", and urged the state president to take necessary steps to curb it.
Accepting that there is some amount of indiscipline in the BJP, the former deputy chief minister, while blaming the Congress' "influence" on a few in the party for it, said that the party high command is strong and will take action at an appropriate time to control it.
"It is unfortunate that such discussions are happening openly in the BJP. If such things have happened, it should have been discussed sitting inside four walls. I have spoken to our state president and have requested him to call those who were speaking openly, and talk to them and end the issue," Eshwarappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I will also request those who are making open statements -- that the party workers are already in pain due to election loss -- let's not give open statements that may further hurt the disciplined party. If anything, bring it to the notice of the state president and leadership."
Asked whether the discipline in BJP has "gone", the senior leader blamed defectors from the Congress for the purported change. "Here and there, discipline has gone as the party has grown. When only four of us were there, there was a lot of discipline. Today, BJP has presence across the country, it is now the world's largest party. So here and there, Congress' wind has affected us, as many from Congress have also joined us," he claimed.
When it was pointed out that it was BJP leaders who got people from Congress to join the party, he said, "As we got them, we are suffering today... Our high command is not weak and will take action when necessary."
In the May 10 Karnataka elections, the Congress ousted the BJP from power, winning 135 seats in the 224-member Assembly. BJP got just 66 seats and the Janata Dal (Secular) headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda managed a mere 19.
Mysuru MP Pratap Simha had recently alleged that some leaders of the BJP were involved in "adjustment politics" with a section of the Congress leaders, and it was one among the factors that contributed to the party's defeat in the Assembly polls.
Questioning why Congress leaders had not lodged complaints against the BJP government regarding the "40 per cent commission" among other scams during the previous regime, after creating a hue and cry on the issue, he had said, "If there is no adjustment with BJP leaders, these allegations should be probed,"
Simha had also pointed out that though the then ruling BJP leaders had threatened to make public the Kempanna Commission report, which went into alleged denotification of land in Arkavathy Layout during the previous Siddaramaiah-led Congress regime, it was never tabled in the State Legislature.
BJP national secretary C T Ravi too had recently claimed that there was "adjustment politics" within the BJP, which had led to the party's defeat.
Though Simha and Ravi had not named anyone, it was largely seen as comments directed at former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his predecessor B S Yediyurappa.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said he had told Prathap Simha, who had made open statements, that it was "not right".
"Bommai did a good job for two-and-half years. In politics, some times despite good work, due to various perceptions, we might have lost. But when we lost, indulging in such public discussion is not right. I have advised that if you (Simha) have any issues, speak to state or national leaders or those concerned, and he has agreed," he said.
Asked about Eshwarappa's statement being seen as him blaming those who joined the BJP from Congress for indiscipline within, Joshi said that was not his intention, and that he has spoken in his natural course.
"What he (Eshwarappa) meant was -- looking at Congress, some of our own have also become like them," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Where is Priyanka Gandhi? Her voter lynched in Mangaluru, still no response
A voter from Wayanad, the very constituency that elected Priyanka Gandhi to the Lok Sabha with a record margin of over four lakh votes, has been brutally murdered in Mangaluru. Yet, there has been no statement, no visit, and no visible intervention from the newly elected Member of Parliament.
Ashraf, a mentally ill man from Wayanad, was reportedly lynched by a mob of Hindutva activists on the outskirts of Mangaluru. Eyewitness accounts suggest that he was chased and beaten mercilessly, despite some locals pleading with the attackers to stop. However, the police allegedly attempted to suppress the nature of the crime, initially dismissing it as a case of drunkenness or an accident. Bruises on Ashraf’s body were ignored, and for two days, the case was handled with silence and negligence.
It was only due to consistent media reporting and the voices of political and social leaders that the truth began to emerge. It is now widely believed that around 30 individuals were involved in the brutal assault on Ashraf. The attempt to hush up the murder has drawn serious questions about the functioning and intention of the police.
Adding to the controversy, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar claimed that the attack happened because Ashraf allegedly shouted “Pakistan Zindabad.” This statement has further derailed the investigation, critics say. It has triggered outrage across Karnataka, with many asking how the Home Minister had access to information about such a slogan but did not know the basic fact that Ashraf was mentally unwell.
Even more disturbing is the silence of other senior leaders. The District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao's reference to Ashraf as someone from a “different community” has also sparked public anger. Citizens are asking how a Muslim man from Wayanad can be referred to as a non-Muslim. The statement has only added to the confusion and suspicion around the case.
Now, Ashraf’s family has taken his body back to Wayanad. And the questions remain unanswered: Will Priyanka Gandhi visit Ashraf’s home? Will she express solidarity with his grieving family? Will she demand that the Karnataka government take strict action against the killers?
The voters of Wayanad are watching. Will Priyanka Gandhi call Karnataka’s Home Minister and question him about his controversial statement? A statement that mirrored the claims made by the very people accused in the case? Since when did statements made by the accused become the basis of public messaging in a murder case?
Will the Wayanad MP hold the Congress government in Karnataka accountable for failing to act promptly? Will she ask why neither the Chief Minister nor the Deputy Chief Minister has spoken on the matter?
The Congress came to power in Karnataka promising justice, equality, and safety for all communities. Karnataka’s Muslim voters, especially, placed their faith in the Congress by turning away not just from the BJP but also from the JDS. What are they being given in return?
At a time when Priyanka Gandhi should have been standing with her constituents and in Parliament against the Waqf Amendment Bill, she was reportedly abroad during the passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill. Many now wonder if this absence is a convenient escape from politically sensitive issues.
If she is back, it is time for her to act. The family of Ashraf, a man from her own constituency, deserves justice. Every single accused in this lynching case—from those who carried out the violence to those who orchestrated it—must face the maximum punishment under the law.
If not, it will not just be Ashraf’s family, but the entire electorate of Wayanad that will be left questioning: why did Priyanka Gandhi contest from their constituency where the party ticket was to be given to a Muslim party worker?
