Rebel leader KS Eshwarappa announced his intention to contest as an independent candidate just hours after being expelled from the BJP. He expressed confidence in securing victory and mentioned his plan to return to the BJP in the future. Eshwarappa was expelled from the BJP for six years on Monday due to violating party discipline by running as an independent candidate in the Lok Sabha polls. His decision to contest independently followed the denial of a ticket for his son, KE Kantesh, to contest from Haveri. Eshwarappa attributed the denial to state BJP president BY Vijayendra and his father, senior party leader BS Yediyurappa.

Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai received the BJP ticket to contest from Haveri, while Vijayendra's brother, MP BY Raghavendra, was selected as the party's candidate from Shimoga. Despite attempts by party leaders to dissuade him, Eshwarappa, 75, remained determined to contest the elections and even filed his nomination as an independent candidate. His expulsion occurred on the final day for withdrawing candidacies for the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, scheduled for May 7.

Eshwarappa played a significant role in building the BJP from the grassroots level in Karnataka, alongside Yediyurappa and the late HN Ananth Kumar. His decision to contest as an independent candidate demonstrates his commitment to staying involved in politics and potentially influencing the election's outcome.

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