‘Confused voters’: BJP uses PM’s photo to target rebel leader for polls

KS Eshwarappa is contesting elections as an independent from Shivamogga (file photo)

Bangalore:

The Bharatiya Janata Party has written to the Election Commission to ensure that former Karnataka deputy chief minister and party leader KS Eshwarappa does not use Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo during the election campaign.

In its complaint, the BJP said, “We are extremely shocked and surprised that KS Eshwarappa, the independent candidate from Shivamogga, has been misleading the public that he is representing Narendra Modi and the BJP leadership. People are contesting elections. He is portraying himself as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party.” The BJP’s view is that this is not true. “

“KS Eshwarappa is misleading the voters to waste votes of the BJP. The BJP has fielded its own candidate in Shivamogga named BY Raghavendra. Therefore, Eshwarappa’s behavior is misleading the public to get votes from the public by using Images of Narendra Modi, this will affect the outcome of the election. So, it is a crime.”

The letter noted that Mr. Eshwarappa had been using the Prime Minister’s photo in his election campaigns.

“Narendra Modi during his tenure as Prime Minister has taken the image of our country to a new level. Narendra Modi has become a world leader. People like Modi a lot. During the elections. Modi The achievements are a boon to the people.” The same credit should go to the BJP or its alliance partners and not to its rivals. Therefore, only the Bharatiya Janata Party and its candidates have the right to use the photo or image of Narendra Modi,” it added.

“Hence, this action of Mr. Eshwarappa is misleading in nature and violates the code of conduct. He does not have any right to use the image and name of the BJP leader in his favour,” it added.

The BJP further demanded strict action against Eshwarappa and warned him not to use Prime Minister Modi’s image and name.

“We therefore request you to take strict action against KS Eshwarappa and warn him not to exploit the image and name of Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders, mislead the public and force him to do so,” they said.

Mr. Eshwarappa is contesting as an independent from Shivamogga. He will fight against BY Raghvendra, son of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa.

Polling for Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will be held in two phases on April 26 and May 7 for a total of 28 constituencies. Shivamogga will go to the polls on May 7.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)