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.
Addressing media, Eshwarappa said though his supporters are demanding the post of Deputy Chief Minister for him, he would accept whatever role the party decides for him.
"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.
He said the party leadership has resolved all the issues within the Karnataka unit of the party and everyone has accepted Basavaraj Bommai as the new Cheif Minister.
"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. The state BJP resolved all minor issues. And the party workers are happy," Eshwarappa stated.
However, Eshwarappa admitted the BJP is focusing on caste-based politics in the state and hinted at the elevation of Basavaraj Bommai as the Chief Minister is done for the 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.
Earlier on Wednesday, citing his seniority former Chief Minister 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.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Bommai said he will speak to Shettar 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.
( With inputs from ANI )
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