Shivamogga: Opposition leader in Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa said on Wednesday that he would not abandon Sangolli Rayanna Brigade due to pressure from BJP leadership. The senior BJP leader participated in Sangolli Rayanna Brigade’s oath taking ceremony at Nandgad of Khanapur taluk in Belagavi district on Tuesday.

Speaking on the issue, Eshwarappa said that he was not expecting any kind of notice from the party leadership. “If the party wants to serve notice, then it should send it to all the 5,000 party workers who attended the convention. Is this possible? One cannot convince the workers by issuing notices but it can be addressed only through dialogue. If other leaders of the party can attend caste or community-based conventions, why can’t we? Will it not be double standard?” Eshwarappa said.

Eshwarappa further said that he was with the Brigade as it focuses on the interests of dalits and backward classes which are neglected by the Congress government. The Brigade supplements the BJP. I wonder why Yeddyurappa is opposing it, he said.