BJP dissidents of Vijayendra demand his removal, claim to have met top brass in Delhi to air grievances

Former minister and MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi claimed that he met BJP national president J P Nadda and discussed the affairs of the Karnataka unit.

New Delhi: A section of dissident BJP leaders from Karnataka, demanding state BJP chief B Y Vijayendra’s removal, claimed to have met the top leaders of the party on Tuesday to air grievances about the functioning of the party’s state unit.

Former minister and MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi claimed that he met BJP national president J P Nadda and discussed the affairs of the state unit. Former legislator Kumar Bangarappa is also learnt to have met BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh.

Jarkiholi, refusing to divulge details of his talks with Nadda, told media, “I have explained the state of affairs to Naddaji. I will abide by the high command’s decision on appointing a new state chief.”

However, the BJP central leadership neither confirmed nor denied whether the meetings had taken place.

Meanwhile, Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and former MP G M Siddeshwar also landed in the national capital. They are planning to meet the party top leaders on Wednesday.

The campaign against Vijayendra, by Yatnal, has gained support of several prominent leaders, like former CM D V Sadananda Gowda.