Top BJP leaders huddle, chant unity mantra to fight Congress in Karnataka

Top BJP leaders huddled on Friday to iron out differences, especially between the party’s incumbent state president B Y Vijayendra and former minister Aravind Limbavali who came face-to-face.

The meeting was held at the residence of former deputy chief minister and senior legislator of the party, Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, following instructions from the Pramukhs of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak  Sangh (RSS).

It is said that the leaders decided to work unitedly to fight the ruling Congress. 

Union Minister  Pralhad Joshi had taken the initiative to bring all three teams (Vijayendra, anti-Vijayendra and neutral) of the state BJP together.  Vijayendra and Aravind Limbavali shaking hands was a surprise in the meeting. Others leaders present were V Sunil Kumar, C T Ravi, D V Sadananda Gowda and N Ravi Kumar. 

According to the sources, there was no discussion on change of party president or any other issue.  “It was mainly to discuss on how to fight Congress government in the state,” said a source. Such meeting will be held once every two weeks henceforth, the source added.

“It was an attempt to build mutual trust among all the party leaders,” said a source.

Speaking to media after the meeting  Vijayendra  said, “We discussed about forming several teams and travelling across the state to fight against the Congress government. The discussion was only about strengthening the party and fight against Congress. We have decided to be united.” 

However, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai did not attend the meeting. 

C T Ravi said that there was nothing to speculate.

“Whatever happened is for the good. We decided about the plans to fight the Congress government - to eliminate it from the state,” he said.

He added that he is not an aspirant for the state president ‘s post.