In the first indication that things had not gone to plan, Eshwarappa continued to reiterate in Delhi that he would contest as an independent candidate from the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat being represented by B.Y.Raghavendra, son of the former CM B.S.Yediyurappa

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On Tuesday, the former minister had claimed he had got a call from Amit Shah asking him to come to Delhi for a discussion on Wednesday. And as announced, Eshwarappa along with his son, K.E.Kantesh left for Delhi Wednesday afternoon. On reaching Delhi, they headed for the BJP’’s new headquarters. But the union minister was not available, claimed sources close to Eshwarappa.

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Since Thursday is the last date for filing nominations, the father and son quickly caught a flight back to Bengaluru.

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Does Eshwarappa have egg on his face?   Were there any summons at all? Or was the whole invitation by Shah to meet him in Delhi a mere story by Eshwarappa who had decided he was going to go to Delhi and present his own case. But then came up against a blank wall?

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Eshwarappa, it’s also being said, had been summoned to Bengaluru for a one to one dialogue with Shah when he was here in the city, Tuesday,  in the presence of Yediyurappa but the Kuruba leader declined to come to state capital.

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Shah, insiders said, would never have agreed to meet Eshwarappa anyway, as he had already announced he was contesting as an independent candidate from Shivamogga. Secondly, his unrealistic caveat that he would withdraw from the fray only  if the State BJP President B.Y.Vijayendra was removed immediately could not be met either  The last thing, the Delhi leaders would do is sack Vijayendra and risk antagonising Veerashaiva/lingayat voters at this juncture, more so with barely weeks left for polling.

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Eshwarappa is expected to file his nomination papers on Thursday with his supporters in Shivamogga.