We put Congress on mat over its toes over multiple issues in last one year: B Y Vijayendra

State BJP president B Y Vijayendra completed one year in office recently. In his own words, it was a “busy year” for him, in which he faced attacks from within the party. In a chat with DH’s N B Hombal, Vijayendra admits that ensuring unity in the party is the biggest challenge. Excerpts:

You’ve completed a year in office. How do you assess your own performance?

The last one year was eventful. First, I faced the Lok Sabha polls in which the party was able to win 17 seats, which included wresting the Bangalore Rural seat from Congress. Then, the party took out a foot march against CM Siddaramaiah over the MUDA scam. We also cornered the government on the Valmiki Corporation scam, Waqf controversy, rising maternal deaths and multiple other issues. Overall, it was a busy year in which BJP ensured Congress was on its toes.

Your challenge was to take everyone along together. Have you been able to do that?

Largely yes. I’ve succeeded in meeting the expectations of my party workers. Workers across the state are happy with me. My bond grew stronger with them with each passing day. I must concede that I couldn’t win over some leaders who weren’t happy with my elevation. I’ll make efforts to win over them for the party’s sake.

Isn’t factionalism coming in the way of BJP’s role as the principal Opposition party?

As some leaders haven’t come to terms with my elevation, it’s certainly straining the party’s performance. We’re not able to exploit opportunities being handed over by Congress on a platter. There was the MUDA scam. If it wasn’t for our foot march, CM wouldn’t have returned the 14 sites. Similarly, we’ve done our best despite challenges on the Valmiki Corporation scam, Waqf controversy and others.

MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal says you’re a temporary president and a new one will be appointed. Is that true?

The BJP’s organisational elections will be completed by February-end. The answer will be known to all by then. My future plan is to lead the party to victory with a decisive mandate in the next Assembly polls. It’ll be the first election that the party will face without its tallest leaders. We must know our strengths and weaknesses. The BJP will be facing elections in the absence of a mass leader who had a following cutting across caste lines. We need to unite and face Congress. That’s the biggest challenge.

Why isn’t the central leadership initiating action against people not toeing the party’s line when it comes to your leadership?

The high command is aware of what’s happening and who’s doing what. When I took over, the central leadership was in the thick of Lok Sabha elections, followed by Assembly polls in different parts of the country. Now, they’re busy with the union budget and the Delhi polls. Once they start focusing on Karnataka, all will fall in line. I’m the last person to seek anybody’s expulsion. I want everyone to work for the party’s victory.

Congress’ victory in the three bypolls was a huge setback for the Opposition. What really went wrong?

I wouldn’t consider it as a big setback. Bypolls generally sway in favour of the ruling party. Nevertheless, BJP made all out efforts. In Sandur, where BJP has never crossed 50,000 votes, we got over 80,000 votes. This proves that BJP’s popularity hasn’t dwindled. In Shiggaon, I think our local leaders were overconfident. In Channapatna, BJP gave full support (to JDS).

Speaking of elections, you’ve been accused of ‘adjustment’ politics.

Neither me nor my father (B S Yediyurappa) has indulged in adjustment politics. Those criticising me should remember that my father won the Shikaripura seat a record eight times. Do you think my father didn’t work for Shikaripura’s development? If I was indulging in adjustment politics, do you think I’d have taken out the padayatra against the CM? Or, ensured the BJP’s victory in Bangalore Rural by defeating Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s brother D K Suresh? I’ve just opened my eyes in politics and I’m very young. Do you think I’d dare to do anything that will upset my high command? After I took over, I’ve not moved a single straw without the approval of or due consultation with the high command. Some may be making such allegations because I’m the youngest among the lot to take over the party’s reins. But the high command knows what I’m doing here.