Pralhad Joshi meets key local leaders in Karnataka to address factionalism in BJP

Bengaluru: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday met with key party leaders from Bagalkot and Davanagere districts to address divisions within the Karnataka BJP. Joshi sought to address the problem of factionalism within the respective district units of the party at these meetings, where senior leaders such as former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda were in attendance.

In Bagalkot, groups led by former MLA Veeranna Charantimath and MLC P H Poojar have been at loggerheads, much to the chagrin of the BJP leadership. As part of his efforts at mediation, Joshi met supporters of both leaders, and lent an ear to the grievances of both groups.

The loss of the Davanagere Lok Saba seat, considered a bastion of the saffron party, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections raised questions about the party’s waning prowess in the district. To that end, Joshi on Friday met former ministers Renukacharya, S A Ravindranath, and former MLA Madal Virupakshappa and deliberated on measures to be taken to revive the party in Davanagere.

Renukacharya, who interacted with journalists before meeting Joshi, sought to clarify that he was not criticising the party, but only those individuals who were speaking against prominent leaders of the BJP. Dismissing suggestions of engaging in anti-party activities, Renukacharya clarified that he was unhappy with those who were criticising former CM B S Yediyurappa, and Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra.

Joshi is learnt to have cautioned leaders of all factions against issuing public statements that could further sharpen the fault lines within the party. He also reportedly stressed the need for everyone to abide by the BJP’s code of conduct. Quoting Joshi, a senior leader who attended the meeting told DH, “The aim is to resolve all differences so the party functions as a cohesive unit.”  

Underscoring the need to address discontent with the party at the grassroots, Joshi reportedly said that the primary objective was to counsel leaders who felt marginalised.

Earlier in the day, Vijayendra sounded an optimistic note about the outcome of Joshi’s efforts at mediation.

“I am confident the internal issues will be resolved,” said Vijayendra.