• By JE News Desk
  • Fri, 21 Apr 2023 03:17 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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PRIME Minister Narendra Modi called up senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa, who recently announced his retirement from politics, and appreciated his commitment to the party. This development comes days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denied the Shivamogga ticket to Eshwarappa's family.

A video of Eshwarappa having a telephone conversation with PM Modi circulated on social media in which the prime minister can be heard appreciating the BJP leader and asking him to ensure BJP's win in the May 10 Assembly election. 

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"I didn't expect his (PM Modi) call, it inspires me to win Shivamogga city and we'll try all possibilities to bring the BJP govt back in Karnataka. It’s not something special I have done. I have told the same to PM," said Eshwarappa, as quoted by the news agency ANI.  

Eshwarappa, a former Deputy Chief Minister, had recently conveyed to the party's central leadership about his wish to retire from politics and had requested it not consider fielding him in the upcoming Assembly election from Shivamogga. However, the five-time MLA from the seat sought the party ticket for his son KE Kantesh.

The BJP released the fourth candidate list remaining two constituencies Shivamogga and Manvi on Wednesday. The party has given Shivamogga ticket to Channabasappa while denying it to sitting MLA and senior BJP leader Eshwarappa's son. While in ST reserved constituency Manvi, the party has fielded BV Nayak as the candidate.

With the announcement of the fourth list, the BJP has announced candidates for all 224 Assembly constituencies in the state. The southern state will go for polls on May 10 and results will be declared on May 13.

The filing of nominations for the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections ended on Thursday. The filing process began on April 13, the papers will be scrutinised today and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 24.