B'luru (Karnataka): Following the leadership change in the Karnataka government, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa on Thursday clarified that he is ready to join the cabinet led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, unlike another senior leader Jagadish Shettar who decided to stay out. Addressing media, Eshwarappa said that though his supporters are demanding the post of Deputy Chief Minister for him, he would accept whatever role the party decides.
"I can not say, the earlier posts were enough for me. But, I will obey the decision of our party's senior leaders. If they ask me to become Deputy Chief Minister or Minister, I will. If they ask me to remain as a legislator, I will accept it. I have no issues," said the BJP leader, adding that the party leadership has resolved all the issues within the Karnataka unit of the party.
Eshwarappa further said, "I am one among thousands of original activists (an old party worker). When I contested for the first time in the legislative assembly, a lot of people questioned my candidature even though they had enough influential leaders. I had accepted the party's decision then, I am also following it now. This is a political game. All people accepted Basavaraj Bommai for Chief Minister's post and the party workers are happy."
However, Eshwarappa admitted that the BJP is focusing on caste-based politics in the state, hinting that the elevation of Basavaraj Bommai as the Chief Minister has been done for a reason. "Basavaraj Bommai is a surprise choice by our high command. The party workers and leaders are happy about it. We have resolved the issue between the four walls. We are adopting the measures taken by Lord Krishna to resolve the issue. We wanted to build Rama Rajya, which is a welfare state, and hence elevated Bommai," he added.