After being denied a ticket, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa announced that he is considering fielding his son, KE Kantesh, as an independent candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Lashing out at former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for overlooking his son and announced that he plans to convene a meeting with his supporters in Shivamogga on March 15 before determining his course of action. Eshwarappa was hoping that his son would be given the ticket to contest from Haveri constituency. However, the party has instead fielded former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Addressing the media in Shivamogga on Wednesday, March 13, Eshwarappa said, "Yediyurappa failed to honour his commitment and betrayed us. Despite Bommai's reluctance to contest, he has been designated as the BJP candidate for the Haveri seat. Shobha, without pursuing a ticket in Delhi, was nominated by Yediyurappa." Eshwarappa said that he was considering fielding his son either from Shivamogga or Haveri constituency.
Pointing to Nalin Kumar Kateel, Pratap Simha, CT Ravi, DV Sadananda Gowda, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, and himself, Eshwarappa said that people within the party believe that Yediyurappa has been targeting leaders loyal to the BJP who advocate for Hindutva. “Many in the party are of the opinion that Mr. Yediyurappa has been targeting leaders who are loyal to the party and speak for the Hindutva,” he said
Eshwarappa said that a final decision regarding his son's candidacy will be reached following a meeting with his supporters on March 15 in Shivamogga.
The BJP released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on March 13. The list had many surprises with many notable BJP leaders like Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, former BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and former Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda not given a chance to contest.