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.
Jagadish Shettar a senior leader, I have respect for him: CM Basavaraj Bommai
Earlier on Wednesday, citing his seniority former K'taka CM Jagadish Shettar, who had served as Industries Ministers in the previous BS Yediyurappa cabinet, said he will not be part of the new Basavaraj Bommai-led government. Reacting to Shettar's statement, the CM Bommai said that he would speak to the former on the matter. "I have a lot of respect for him, he's a senior leader. I was supposed to meet him, have spoken to him on phone," the new CM had said.
Shettar had said that his self-respect and consciousness do not allow him to join the new cabinet in the state. "I don't know whom will they take into the cabinet. I'm an MLA and I was the party president and worked as an opposition leader as well. That's why I have said that I don't want to join the cabinet as being the senior and former Chief Minister. I was a minister in the BS Yediyurappa cabinet because he was a senior. I was Chief minister and I'm a senior member. My respect, my self-respect my conscience doesn't allow me to join the cabinet. I don't want to be in the cabinet," Shettar told media.
Meanwhile, CM Bommai's plans to meet Shettar on Thursday was cancelled due to lack of time, and had left for Bengaluru from Hubli.
(With agency inputs)
