Loyalists in key posts; BS Yediyurappa, son wrest control of Karnataka BJP
TNN | Dec 26, 2023, 02.23 PM IST
BENGALURU: By ensuring the maximum number of his supporters in the revamped state BJP unit, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and his son state BJP president BY Vijayendra seem to have established total control over the party in the state.
Of the 10 vice presidents appointed by Vijayendra on Saturday, six - Murugesh Nirani, Raju Gouda Nayak, Haratal Halappa, Byrathi Basavaraj, N Mahesh and M Rajendra - and three out of the four general secretaries - P Rajeev, Pritham Gowda and Nandish Reddy - are from Yediyurappa camp.
Even the majority of the newly appointed state BJP secretaries and presidents of various morchas have been staunch followers of the former CM, BJP insiders claim. In the appointments of leader and deputy leaders of opposition in both the houses of the state legislature too, the Lingayat strongman seems to have had the last word. Opposition leader in assembly R Ashoka, deputy leader in the legislative council Sunil Vallyapure, opposition's chief whip in assembly Doddanagouda Patil and that of council N Ravikumar are all Yediyurappa's choices.
"This shows BJP high command has completely given in to Yediyurappa and Vijayendra. For the first time, the state BJP is seeing such a lopsided representation. Even when Yediyurappa was at the peak of his popularity, he could not get the control of the party like now," said a senior BJP MLA who did not wish to be named.
A section of BJP MLAs attribute this to lack of leadership who match Yediyurappa in popularity or enjoy clout at Delhi level.
"When Ananth Kumar (former union minister) was alive, he was a rallying point for Yediyurappa detractors. Even Jagadish Shettar played that role to a certain extent to seek balance for all groups within the state BJP. But now there is no one behind whom the anti-Yeddyurappa camp could rally," another MLA said.
The party's humiliating defeat in the assembly elections which were fought as per the advice of the anti-Yeddiyurappa camp was also a reason for the high command's renewed faith in Yediyurappa's abilities.
Pushed to the wall
The development has pushed Yediyurappa detractors within the party including Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, V Somanna, CT Ravi and others to the wall as they neither have the support of MLAs nor of the high command. It was evident when Yatnal said he would think of his future after the Lok Sabha election.
"All major posts of office bearers have gone to South Karnataka leaders. North Karnataka region has suffered injustice once again. If it continues after Lok Sabha polls, then we will have to think about our next move," said Yatnal.
Of the 10 vice presidents appointed by Vijayendra on Saturday, six - Murugesh Nirani, Raju Gouda Nayak, Haratal Halappa, Byrathi Basavaraj, N Mahesh and M Rajendra - and three out of the four general secretaries - P Rajeev, Pritham Gowda and Nandish Reddy - are from Yediyurappa camp.
Even the majority of the newly appointed state BJP secretaries and presidents of various morchas have been staunch followers of the former CM, BJP insiders claim. In the appointments of leader and deputy leaders of opposition in both the houses of the state legislature too, the Lingayat strongman seems to have had the last word. Opposition leader in assembly R Ashoka, deputy leader in the legislative council Sunil Vallyapure, opposition's chief whip in assembly Doddanagouda Patil and that of council N Ravikumar are all Yediyurappa's choices.
"This shows BJP high command has completely given in to Yediyurappa and Vijayendra. For the first time, the state BJP is seeing such a lopsided representation. Even when Yediyurappa was at the peak of his popularity, he could not get the control of the party like now," said a senior BJP MLA who did not wish to be named.
A section of BJP MLAs attribute this to lack of leadership who match Yediyurappa in popularity or enjoy clout at Delhi level.
"When Ananth Kumar (former union minister) was alive, he was a rallying point for Yediyurappa detractors. Even Jagadish Shettar played that role to a certain extent to seek balance for all groups within the state BJP. But now there is no one behind whom the anti-Yeddyurappa camp could rally," another MLA said.
The party's humiliating defeat in the assembly elections which were fought as per the advice of the anti-Yeddiyurappa camp was also a reason for the high command's renewed faith in Yediyurappa's abilities.
Pushed to the wall
The development has pushed Yediyurappa detractors within the party including Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, V Somanna, CT Ravi and others to the wall as they neither have the support of MLAs nor of the high command. It was evident when Yatnal said he would think of his future after the Lok Sabha election.
"All major posts of office bearers have gone to South Karnataka leaders. North Karnataka region has suffered injustice once again. If it continues after Lok Sabha polls, then we will have to think about our next move," said Yatnal.