Cracks widen in Karnataka BJP as BSY family continues to face dissidents’ ire

Bengaluru: Fault-lines within the state BJP are showing signs of sharpening yet again with dissidents continuing their attack on not just B Y Vijayendra, president of the party’s state unit, but also his father – party veteran and former CM B S Yediyurappa.

Although Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was deputed by the party top brass to iron out differences in the Karnataka BJP, it appears as if his efforts have not yielded desired results.  

Yediyurappa’s absence at birthday celebrations of senior BJP leader and former MP G M Siddeshwar in Davangere provoked sharp retort from dissident Aravind Limbavalli. Dubbing Yediyurappa’s absence and his treatment of Siddeshwar ‘unjust’, Limbavalli said, “He (Yediyurappa) left BJP and formed new party – KJP. He had also approached Congress and JD(S).”

Dissident leaders – Limbavalli, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Pratap Simha, B P Harish, Kumar Bangarappa, among others – found an opportunity to display strength at Siddeshwar’s birthday bash. “The rebels are unhappy with what they consider Vijayendra’s ‘closed-door’ functioning style,” a BJP leader told DH.

The expulsion of Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, considered the leader of dissident faction, has evoked sharp response from rebels, who are seeking former minister M P Renukacharya’s removal from BJP. Although Joshi met Renukacharya recently, the apparent lack of disciplinary action against the latter has irked dissidents.

Yatnal’s expulsion has appeared to take the sting out of rebels’ attack on Vijayendra. However, the dissidents have continued to question the state BJP chief on a number of issues, albeit in a more cautious tone. In fact, the growing influence of not just Vijayendra but also his brother and Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra has evoked barbs about nepotism from party functionaries.

Among the concerns flagged by rebels is the marginalisation of senior leaders, and those toiling for party at grassroots. Besides, they fear the erosion of BJP’s traditional voter base among Lingayat community, and in coastal regions, owing to excessive centralisation of authority.

However, Renukacharya insists that Vijayendra has the backing of the party top brass, while adding that the post of the Karnataka BJP president was not vacant.