<p>Davangere: In central Karnataka, a faction supporting BJP state president B Y Vijayendra is preparing for a major gathering under the pretext of celebrating BJP Parliamentary Board member B S Yediyurappa’s birthday signalling a show of strength and the indefinite continuation of factional conflicts within the BJP.</p><p>Leaders seeking the expulsion of MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who is insisting on the removal of BJP state unit president B Y Vijayendra, held a meeting at a hotel in Davangere on Sunday. Several former MLAs and former ministers from various parts of the state participated in the meeting.</p><p>With this, the ‘campaign’ against Yatnal, which began in Kurudumale of Mulabagilu taluk in Kolar district, has reached central Karnataka.</p><p>The meeting which saw discussions on political and internal party conflicts was held despite the party’s directive to not hold ‘political meetings’. It was held for two days under the aegis of ‘Yediyurappa Followers Association’.</p><p><strong>10 committees formed</strong></p><p>At the meeting, a committee of 10 members led by former minister S A Ravindranath was formed to prepare for B S Yediyurappa’s birthday celebration scheduled for February 27.</p><p>Preparations have begun well in advance to garner thousands of people in Davangere for the celebration. A preparatory meeting is scheduled for January 16, during which the event location will be identified.</p><p>“Last time, BSY’s birthday was organised in Shivamogga. In 2025, we have decided to hold this event in Davangere,” former minister Haratalu Halappa said at a press conference.</p><p>Former minister Katta Subramanya Naidu stated that they have already announced that the event will be held in Davangere. There is no opportunity within the party to hold a political meeting. Therefore, Yediyurappa’s birthday will be celebrated by Yediyurappa’s Followers’ Association.</p><p>“We will invite national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to attend the event,” he said.</p><p><strong>55 leaders at meeting</strong></p><p>Former minister M P Renukacharya stated that former minister B C Patil and some others are on a foreign trip. Out of 60 former MLAs and ministers, 55 attended the meeting. This is not a political meeting. It is a gathering of Yediyurappa’s fans and well-wishers.</p><p>“BJP state president B Y Vijayendra is doing an excellent job. So, we must support him. Efforts must be made to instil confidence among the party workers. We have discussed this for over four hours,” he said.</p><p>Former legislators S V Ramachandrappa, Madalu Virupakshappa, Y Sampangi, Bellary Virupakshappa, Arun Kumar, Kumaraswamy of Shivamogga, Seema Masuti, Basavaraj Naik, Tippeswamy, Belli Prakash, Rajashekhar Sheelavant, Pratap Gowda of Maski, L Nagendra of Mysuru, Niranjan of Gundlupet, and Balaraj of Chamarajanagar were among many others who participated in the meeting.</p>
<p>Davangere: In central Karnataka, a faction supporting BJP state president B Y Vijayendra is preparing for a major gathering under the pretext of celebrating BJP Parliamentary Board member B S Yediyurappa’s birthday signalling a show of strength and the indefinite continuation of factional conflicts within the BJP.</p><p>Leaders seeking the expulsion of MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who is insisting on the removal of BJP state unit president B Y Vijayendra, held a meeting at a hotel in Davangere on Sunday. Several former MLAs and former ministers from various parts of the state participated in the meeting.</p><p>With this, the ‘campaign’ against Yatnal, which began in Kurudumale of Mulabagilu taluk in Kolar district, has reached central Karnataka.</p><p>The meeting which saw discussions on political and internal party conflicts was held despite the party’s directive to not hold ‘political meetings’. It was held for two days under the aegis of ‘Yediyurappa Followers Association’.</p><p><strong>10 committees formed</strong></p><p>At the meeting, a committee of 10 members led by former minister S A Ravindranath was formed to prepare for B S Yediyurappa’s birthday celebration scheduled for February 27.</p><p>Preparations have begun well in advance to garner thousands of people in Davangere for the celebration. A preparatory meeting is scheduled for January 16, during which the event location will be identified.</p><p>“Last time, BSY’s birthday was organised in Shivamogga. In 2025, we have decided to hold this event in Davangere,” former minister Haratalu Halappa said at a press conference.</p><p>Former minister Katta Subramanya Naidu stated that they have already announced that the event will be held in Davangere. There is no opportunity within the party to hold a political meeting. Therefore, Yediyurappa’s birthday will be celebrated by Yediyurappa’s Followers’ Association.</p><p>“We will invite national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to attend the event,” he said.</p><p><strong>55 leaders at meeting</strong></p><p>Former minister M P Renukacharya stated that former minister B C Patil and some others are on a foreign trip. Out of 60 former MLAs and ministers, 55 attended the meeting. This is not a political meeting. It is a gathering of Yediyurappa’s fans and well-wishers.</p><p>“BJP state president B Y Vijayendra is doing an excellent job. So, we must support him. Efforts must be made to instil confidence among the party workers. We have discussed this for over four hours,” he said.</p><p>Former legislators S V Ramachandrappa, Madalu Virupakshappa, Y Sampangi, Bellary Virupakshappa, Arun Kumar, Kumaraswamy of Shivamogga, Seema Masuti, Basavaraj Naik, Tippeswamy, Belli Prakash, Rajashekhar Sheelavant, Pratap Gowda of Maski, L Nagendra of Mysuru, Niranjan of Gundlupet, and Balaraj of Chamarajanagar were among many others who participated in the meeting.</p>
