Bengaluru: One of the oldest friendships in the Karnataka political front is that of CM BS Yediyurappa and senior BJP leader and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa. Both hail from Shivamogga and the two had been associated with each other both on a political and personal level over the last forty years.

However, news of this friendship turning hostile has been making rounds over the last few years and on Thursday, February 27, it seemed true. While nobody knows the exact reason behind the rumours that BSY-KSE friendship has turned sour, on Thursday, as BSY turned 78 and celebrated the same with a mega event at Palace Grounds, in presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh, former CMs SM Krishna, Siddaramaiah and other top leaders of the state, KS Eshwarappa remained absent.

Instead of this glittering event, KSE opted to attend a series of events in Shivamogga, giving an impression that the two top leaders of BJP are not even on talking terms. Even in his speech, BS Yediyurappa recalled his connections with BJP leader Late Anant Kumar and did not even once mention the name of KS Eshwarappa. It is known to all that BSY shared a closer bond with KSE thank Anant Kumar.

Sources say that KSE and BSY’s equation has turned so hostile and they do not even stand each other’s sight. “They haven’t attended an event together over the last several months. No one knows what is the reason,” said a BJP leader. Other major absentees included leaders from HD Deve Gowda family. Gowda and his children remained away from the event and left everyone wonder if the family nurtures anger against BSY for toppling the coalition government.