Severed ties with Brigade on Shah's diktat, says KS Eshwarappa

Raichur: Leader of Opposition in the Legislative  Council K.S. Eshwarappa, who was in news for his association with the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, has finally decided to sever his ties with the group.

Mr Eshwarappa said here on Saturday that he took the decision after oral directions from Bharatiya Janata Party’s president Amit Shah.

“Mr Shah told me that the Brigade’s existence will send wrong signals to the public and may harm the interests of the party.

He told me that instead of organising Backward Classes and Dalits under a separate forum, I can do it under the party umbrella. That is why I have been appointed chairman of the Backward Classes Morcha. I have invited Brigade leaders to join the BJP if they think their purpose of promoting the welfare of the Backward Classes and Dalits would be served. Mr Shah instructed me to give due positions to these leaders who join the Bharatiya Janata Party and the state party president too has agreed,” he said.

But he did not clarify whether he has asked Brigade office-bearers to wind up their activities after he decided to sever the ties.

“I was not even a member of the Brigade. It was launched by likeminded leaders who felt aggrieved by the neglect of Backward Classes by Mr Siddaramaiah, who came to power in the name of these classes,” Mr Eshwarappa said.

He did not agree with the view that he has let down the Brigade leaders.

“The Brigade leaders did not join because they admired my leadership. They joined as they wanted to promote the interests of the Backward Classes and Dalits. Now they are joining the Morcha, which will be strengthened,” Mr Eshwarappa said.