PM Narendra Modi dials KS Eshwarappa, lauds his loyalty to party despite no ticket to kin in Karnataka assembly elections

SHIVAMOGGA: PM Narendra Modi on Friday morning called up senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa, a move seen as an effort to keep party ranks intact in view of several leaders switching to other parties after they were denied tickets for the assembly elections.
Eshwarappa shared a video of his conversation with the PM on social media. In the video, Modi is heard saying, "You have demonstrated your commitment to the party. I am very happy for you. So, I decided to talk to you."
The PM lauded his dedication to the party even though his family was denied a ticket. The two minutes call came around 7am just when Eshwarappa had woken up. tnn
PM Modi's phone call has inspired me, says KSE
The former deputy CM is said to have sought the ticket for his son K E Kantesh from Shivamogga City constituency. However, the party brass overlooked Eshwarappa's request and fielded Channabasappa.
Addressing reporters later, Eshwarappa said, "The PM spoke to me for two minutes. Even in my dreams I never thought that the PM would call me. His phone call has inspired me. We will win the election in Shivamogga and make every effort to form a BJP government in the state."
Modi is also heard saying that he will meet Eshwarappa whenever he visits poll-bound Karnataka. "The PM's gesture shows how the BJP is different from other political parties," he said.
The former minister said when party president J P Nadda and BJP general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh called him with a request to retire from electoral politics, he did not have second thoughts and quickly made his decision public.Eshwarappa said that Modi also congratulated him for writing a letter to announce his retirement from electoral politics. "He was happy that I had followed the central leader's directive," he added.
Meanwhile in Mangaluru, AICC spokesperson Charan Singh Sapra said PM Narendra Modi calling Eshwarappa was an act condoning corruption. He said that by calling Eshwarappa, the PM has put a stamp of approval on his corruption.