Boost for Vijayendra as most MLAs want rebels tamed

Bengaluru: A meeting of BJP's elected representatives amid infighting turned into a show of strength in favour of the party's state president B Y Vijayendra, with several lawmakers urging the high command to rein in the rebels who are publicly targeting him.    

The meeting, attended by around 50 MLAs (out of a total 65), two MPs and a few MLCs, was held in the presence of BJP National General Secretary Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, national leaders Kishan Reddy, Sudhakar Reddy and Pon Radhakrishna.

The meeting reportedly focused on the choice of presidents for taluk and zilla-level presidents.

Barring a few leaders like Harihar MLA B P Harish and Holalkere MLA M Chandrappa, who are recognised with the BJP's parallel team led by Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, and some others not associated with either faction, most other lawmakers are said to have backed Vijayendra. 

Former home minister Araga Jnanendra told DH that they discussed the "damaging" impact of leaders speaking openly against the party. "The Congress is mired in scams but we are unable to benefit from it due to factionalism. We have asked them to call all dissenting leaders and speak to them. We had open discussions where all opinions were heard," he added.

Slamming the rebels, BJP General Secretary Preetham J Gowda said: "The central leaders should control those speaking on the roads. We hope the situation settles down and even they (rebels) will strengthen the party and the state president. We need to be organised to get back to power in 2028."

However, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka was non-committal on whether or not an election will be held for the party president's post. "We didn't discuss on who the state president will be. That can happen only after (Union Minister) Shivraj Singh Chouhan comes, who has been appointed by the national president. Only he can decide on whether there will be an election or not," he said. 

Earlier in the day, B S Yediyurappa loyalists and former legislators like M P Renukacharya, Katta Subrahmanya Naidu, B C Patil and others were miffed that they were not invited for the meeting. Later, however, they received a call to participate. They want Vijayendra to lead the party. 

Rebel voice

Emerging as the lone vocal rebel voice, B P Harish said they would personally talk to Agrawal. "My basic question remains unanswered. In the Lok Sabha elections, three former MLAs of our party had an internal understanding with a Congress minister, which led to the defeat of Gayatri Siddeshwar in Davangere," he said, seeking action against them.