Shivmogga (Karnataka) [India], April 20 : Former Karnataka deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa who dropped out of electoral politics ahead of the upcoming State Assembly polls on Thursday vowed to bring miffed leaders back who left the Bharatiya Janata Party to join Congress.
"I am not angry with BJP... those who have left BJP have to be brought back. We've to bring them back to BJP who are angry with our party and joined Congress. Our candidate will win this seat. BJP will win over 140 seats in Karnataka," Eshwarappa told .
Various leaders of the BJP recently quit the party over being denied tickets for the polls and joined either Congress or Janta Dal (Secular). The latest to jump ship was Lingayat leader and former MLC Ayanur Manjunath who left the party to join HD Kumaraswamy's JD(S). He became the 10th legislator to quit the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls in the State.
Eshwarappa also slammed Congress leader Siddaramaiah over his remarks on BJP chief JP Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Siddaramaiah does not know the specialities of India's culture. It is India's culture to seek blessings from those of who we are proud," Eshwarappa said.
Siddaramaiah had hit out at Nadda over his "Karnataka should not be devoid of Modi Ji's blessings" during an election rally in Shiggaon on Wednesday.
"In democracy, people decide the fate of the candidates & the elected representatives can serve them. @narendramodi is not God to bless anyone. I condemn the statement of @JPNadda about @narendramodi's blessings on Karnataka. Looks like he needs lessons on democracy. All states are equal and have the same rights according to the Constitution. There is no space for dictatorship in democracy," he tweeted.
Karnataka will go to Assembly polls on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.
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