Shivamogga: Former deputy chief minister and leader of Rashtrabhakthara Balaga, KS Eshwarappa, on Wednesday said he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Union govt to deny permission for the proposed Sharavati pumped storage project.Speaking to reporters, Eshwarappa noted that Sharavati project was among the 18 demands submitted to the PM by chief minister DK Shivakumar during a recent meeting . He added a formal delegation would also meet with the PM to register their protest.Eshwarappa cited environmental department reports indicating that the project would require an immense quantity of explosives and the axing of approximately 16,000 trees. He emphasised that deforestation was a primary driver of recent drought conditions in the state, making the destruction of forests for the project completely unjustifiable.Echoing these concerns, Eshwarappa’s son and former ZP member KE Kantesh announced that a massive protest has been organised on June 28 at Gandhi Circle in Sagar, where environmental activists and protesters plan to travel to Karnataka Power Corporation office in Kargal to submit an official memorandum demanding the withdrawal of the project.Meanwhile, Eshwarappa criticised recent remarks by home minister Priyank Kharge regarding the financial accounts of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and challenging the govt to take legal action rather than resorting to what he termed malicious propaganda. He condemned the Priyank’s objections to the Z-plus security cover provided to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, stating that security clearances are strictly the domain of the central govt, and it should not be politicised.KSE open to rejoining BJPEshwarappa, on Wednesday indicated that he is open to rejoining BJP. Reflecting on his political future, Eshwarappa acknowledged that while his exit from BJP over family politics was well known, his heart remains with the party. Expressing concern over the party’s consecutive electoral setbacks in Karnataka, he warned that the party would suffer further if the current trajectory continues, adding he would consult senior party functionaries before making a final decision on his re-entry.
