Top BJP leader's Karnataka visit puts focus on Vijayendra's future, term as state party chief ends in November

Bengaluru: BJP’s national joint general secretary (organisation) Shivprakash arrived here Wednesday, and with him came speculation that he may discuss B Y Vijayendra's future as the party's Karnataka president.

Shivprakash was received at the Bengaluru airport by Vijayendra, BJP general secretary P Rajeev, Chitradurga MP Govind Karjol and former minister BC Patil.

According to Vijayendra, Shivprakash is here to review the party’s preparations to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 12 years in office. Shivprakash will also take stock of the party’s organisation ahead of BJP national president Nitin Nabin’s maiden visit to Karnataka on May 23, Vijayendra said.

Party sources, however, said Shivprakash will meet over two dozen leaders Thursday to discuss various party matters, including Vijayendra’s future.

Vijayendra, the son of veteran B S Yediyurappa, was appointed as the Karnataka BJP president in November 2023. His three-year term ends in November this year.

The appointment of Vijayendra, a first-time MLA and a Lingayat, as the BJP state president caused heartburn within the saffron party. One faction within the party has been mounting pressure on the top brass to remove Vijayendra.

“Shivprakash is here to take stock of the political mood in the state. He is expected to collect opinions on whether or not Vijayendra should continue, and who can take on the mantle of leadership in the event he is replaced,” a senior BJP leader said.

A string of electoral reversals, including the BJP’s tally falling from 25 to 17 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka and recent bypoll defeats, have undermined Vijayendra’s repertoire, which was built on his organisational resourcefulness.

Soon after the BJP’s losses in the Davangere South and Bagalkot bypolls, Vijayendra helmed a massive event in Chitradurga earlier this month to mark his father Yediyurappa completing 50 years in politics. The event, attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was seen as a show of strength, and a message to the party on the importance of the Lingayat community’s support.