SHIVAMOGGA: Senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa, who created a storm in the BJP circle over the floating of Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, has said he would not back away from the outfit.
“No U-turn from Brigade activities. I don’t expect any kind of notice from the party leadership for attending a convention of the Brigade held at Nandagad in Belagavi. I hope this issue will be addressed by the party leadership at an appropriate time”, Eshwarappa, who is the leader of Opposition in Legislative Council, said on Wednesday.
Talking to Express, Eshwarappa said, “If the party wants to serve notice, then it should send it to all the 5,000 party workers who attended the convention. Is this possible? One cannot convince the workers by issuing notices but it can be addressed only through dialogue”. “If other leaders of the party can attend caste or community-based conventions, why can’t we? Will it not be double standard?” Eshwarappa said.
He said Rayanna Brigade focuses on protecting the interests of dalits and backward classes which are neglected by the Congress government.
Many BJP leaders including elected representatives from backward classes have expressed their support to it, he said.
Accepting this issue as an ideological tussle between himself and state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa, Eshwarappa said it is not an egoistic stand. The Bridage supplements the BJP. “In the coming days, this issue would be resolved”, he said.
“We are good friends. I wonder why Yeddyurappa is opposing it. I would reach my goal which in turn helps the BJP”, he said,
Eshwarappa said a “mega convention” of the Brigade will be held at Koodalasangama on January 26. He said, BJP leadership and the Sangha Parivar are keeping track of all the activities of the Brigade.
“Being a disciplined worker of the BJP, whatever I am doing with Brigade is in the interest of the party”, he said.