BJP chief slaps showcause on Limbavali

Bengaluru, April 16: In an attempt to nip indiscipline in the bud, the state BJP leadership has slapped a show-cause notice on higher education minister Aravind Limbavali for allegedly supporting independent candidates during the recent BBMP polls.

State unit president K.S. Eshwarappa told Deccan Chronicle that some party workers from Mahadevpura assembly constituency, represented by Mr Limbavali, had complained to him that Mr Limbavali had worked for independent candidates though the party had fielded its candidates.
“They had urged me to take action against the minister. So, I issued show-cause notice on him on Thursday. I have given him seven days to reply,” Mr Eshwarappa said.

Party sources said the workers had complained about the election of an independent candidate, Puttaraju, from Garudachar Palya ward.

The party’s official nominee Kiran Babu, a camp-follower of Mr Eshwarappa, was defeated by the independent candidate Puttaraju. Besides, he made disparaging remarks in private against the state unit president including one that Mr Eshwarappa was not chief minister material. Mr Eshwarappa, who was upset with Mr Limbavali’s comments, was waiting for an opportunity to avenge the humiliation.

The sources said Mr Limbavali’s proximity to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa did not deter the state unit president from serving the notice on him. “By using this case, the party wanted to send signals to its workers and leaders that it will not tolerate indiscipline,” the sources added.

Mr Limbavali was not available for comments as he was busy attending meetings on Friday.