Cracks widen in Karnataka BJP; rebel leaders put up a show of strength in Davanagere
The rebel leaders in Karnataka BJP have put up a show of unity even as the suspense over the election of the state BJP president continues.
On Tuesday, the rebel leaders, who are demanding the ousting of state party chief B.Y. Vijayendra, lashed out at former chief minister Yediyurappa, in a bid to draw the party high command’s attention to the alleged injustices meted out to the party veterans by the father-son duo.
Post the expulsion of rebel leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, a vocal critic of Yediyurappa and Vijayendra, the BJP leadership has been making efforts to call a truce between the two factions. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s intervention has helped little to close the rift within the party.
The disgruntled leaders including Aravind Limbavali, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Kumar Bangarappa, G.M. Siddeshwar, B.P. Harish, Pratap Simha and N.R. Santosh have been relentlessly campaigning against Vijayendra, alleging that his “adjustment politics” and proximity to the Congress leaders have been detrimental to the party’s interest.
After attending a temple festival in Gokak on an invitation by local MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, the rebel leaders chose to put up a show of unity at the “Nammabhimana” at Davangere.
“Yediyurappa had left the BJP and floated a new party—KJP. He had also knocked on the doors of the Congress and JDS parties. I don’t know why he returned to the BJP. The way he treated Siddeshwar was not right,” said Limbavali, a former MLA from Mahadevapura.
Siddeshwar claimed he had a role to play in Yediyurappa becoming the deputy CM in the BJP-JDS coalition government (in 2006) and later the CM in 2008.
“It is always Yediyurappa who took my help and if anyone proves it otherwise I will retire from politics,” said Siddeshwar, who suspects his wife Gayathri’s defeat in the 2024 parliament polls was due to Vijayendra.
Kumar Bangarappa alleged that the party needs to give a befitting answer to those responsible for the party’s defeat in Davangere in the 2024 parliament polls.
The rebel faction reiterated that it was their concerted effort (and not the protests led by the party chief) that yielded results as their report prepared after touring the districts affected by "illegal land grabbing" by Waqf Board was mentioned during the tabling of the Waqf Bill in the parliament. Also, the Valmiki corporation scam related to the diversion of Rs 187 crore was handed over to the CBI.
Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had escaped prosecution in the MUDA case would face the heat in the Valmiki Corporation, which was handed over to the CBI.
“The efforts of leaders like, Siddeshwar, Arvind Limbavali, Kumar Bangarappa and Ramesh Jarkiholi have yielded results as the CM is in a spot over the Valmiki scam,” said Simha.
“We need to retain leaders like Siddeshwar in the party. When I was the MP, the Mysore airport was defunct. Investors were reluctant for want of air connectivity. Siddeshwar, who was then the state minister for civil aviation, responded immediately. He has developed Davangere as a beautiful city. Unity brings strength and success. We will stay united,” added Simha.
Meanwhile, Vijayendra, who reiterated that the party would recognise his hard work and a decision would be taken (regarding the state BJP chief’s post) after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign tour, held a party workers meeting in Shivamogga.
“Every party worker is an ambassador of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has given many pro-people programmes. Our party workers have the intent and direction and are ideologically committed to the party. Unlike the Congress, the BJP under Modi has come to power on a positive mandate,” reminded Vijayendra.
India