Shivamogga: A day after Shivamogga MLA SN Channabasappa expressed his displeasure with former DCM KS Eshwarappa, the veteran leader moved to douse the political fire on Friday, calling the legislator “our boy” and asking observers not to treat the confrontation as a major rift.Dismissing reports of an escalating feud within the local cadre, Eshwarappa maintained that he would not take the MLA’s outburst to heart. “Channabasappa is our boy. Please do not take this issue very seriously. He felt something in his mind and spoke out. We will sit together and decide on future steps in the coming days,” Eshwarappa told reporters when asked about the MLA’s aggressive stance.When asked whether the public war of words indicated a brewing “guru-shishya” clash in the district, Eshwarappa brushed aside the suggestion. He said his relationship with the MLA remained intact despite the political friction.However, Eshwarappa, who formed Rashtra Bhaktara Balaga after his expulsion from BJP, made it clear that his family would not step back from the electoral fray in the Shivamogga City constituency. He confirmed that either he or his son KE Kantesh would contest the upcoming elections.“My son has explicitly conveyed our stand to the BJP senior leadership—that either he or I will be contesting from Shivamogga City this time,” Eshwarappa said, adding that top party leaders have assured them of a resolution after consulting central executives over the next two months.Eshwarappa, who has indicated he could return to BJP, said his son has advised him to embark on a statewide tour across Karnataka to consolidate the party’s organisational base and safeguard its core ideological roots. Eshwarappa asserted that he remains committed to upholding the party’s foundational principles established by leaders like Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
